KHULNA, Sept 29, 2024 (BSS) - All preparations have been completed to celebrate Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community, in the district scheduled to begin on October 9.

Artisans, locally known as pauls, are working round the clock to give the last touch to the idols of the goddess Durga.

General Secretary of city unit Puja Udjapon Parisad Prashanta Kumar Kundu today told BSS that a total of 925 Puja Mandaps have been set up in the metropolis and all nine upazilas of the district.

A total of 124 Puja Mandaps have been set up in the metropolitan city while 801 in all nine upazilas of the district, he said adding that around 450 idol-makers are engaged in making idols in the region.

Hindu community members and people from all walks of life were already seen crowding around the temples and Puja mandaps to see their last preparations.

Talking to BSS, Shibu Paul, an idol maker of Dharmasava Puja mandap in the city said this year, the Pauls (idol-makers) will earn more money than the last year.

"We received Taka around 7,500 to Taka 8,500 last year for each idol but we are taking around Taka 9,000 to Taka 9,500 this year," he said, adding that "We have received Taka 50,000 to Taka 60,000 for completion of each Puja Mondap.

He said the cost of raw materials including earth, rope, straw, bamboo and jute needed for idol making has increased.

Shibu also said he has been running this business after the death of his father. He has completed 95 percent of his work and the rest of his work will be finished in time, he expects.

Manosh Kumar Ghosh, President of Arjya Dharmasava Puja Udjapon Committee, who supervises the Dharmasava Puja Mandap, said preparations costs for the Durga Puja have risen due to the high price of raw materials and increased charges of idol makers, purohits and dhakis.

Proshanta Kundu said at least 95 percent of idol making works have already been completed in the city and the district.

Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and also Khulna Divisional Commissioner Helal Mahmud Sharif handed over Taka 6,35,000 to the managing committee of 71 Puja Mondaps in the city, he added.

Talking to BSS Krishna Saha, President of the District Unit Puja Committee, said the district administration has distributed 500 kg of rice in each Puja Mondap in all nine upazilas and two Pourasavas in the district.

"We become happy about the preparation of the law enforcement agencies for their security measures," he said.

He also requested law enforcement agencies to withdraw false cases filed against many leaders and activists of the Puja Udjapon Committee to ensure smooth celebration of Durga Puja.

Besides, Police have taken adequate security measures before and after the Puja Mandaps in the city and district.

Talking to BSS, KMP commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Haider said members of law enforcement agencies have already started to visit each Puja Mondap every day.

"We are requesting each Puja Mondap managing committee to deploy volunteers and CC TV at their respective Puja Mondap," he added.