KHULNA, Sept 28, 2022 (BSS) - All preparations have been completed to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully in the industrial city as one of the largest religious festivals of the Bangalee Hindu community is scheduled to begin on October 1.

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

General Secretary of the City Unit Puja Udjapon Parisad Prashanta Kumar Kundu told BSS that a total of 130 mandaps has been set up in the metropolitan city while 900 mandaps were erected in all nine upazilas of the district to celebrate Durga Puja.

Around 450 idol-makers are engaged in making idols in the region, he said.

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

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

"We have received Tk around 6,500 to Tk 7,500 last year for each idol but we are taking around Tk 8,000 to Tk 9000 this year," he said.

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

Ram Prasad also said he has been running this business after the death of his father. He has completed 96 percent of his work and expects to finish it in time.

Ranjeet Kumar Ghosh, a devotee, who supervises Dharmasava Puja Mandap in the city, said preparations cost for the Durga Puja have raised due to high price of the raw materials and increased charge of idol makers, purohits and dhakis.

Shyamol Halder, President of the City Unit Puja Udjapon Parisad said at least 96 percent idols making works have already been completed in both the city and the district.

Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) and Khulna District Police authorities have separately taken adequate security measures for ensuing smooth celebration of Durga Puja.

KMP Additional Commissioner Rakibul Islam told BSS that all kinds of security measures, uninterrupted electricity supply and traffic management would be ensured for peaceful celebration of Puja.

Khulna Police Super Md Mahbub Hossain said security measures have been taken in each temple.

A team of policemen along with ansars will be deployed at the temples each during the puja, he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 485.5 tons of rice have been distributed by the government at 971 puja mandaps in the city and district while Khulna City Corporation have distributed Tk 6,58,000 lakh at 75 puja mandaps in the city on Tuesday.