Kolkata: PHOTO STORY: (Please try to use more than one pics with the story) The countdown has begun. Just nine days away from “Durga Puja”, the biggest festival of Bengalis. Kolkata and the entire West Bengal celebrate the festival at their utmost capacity. Markets are packed with people trying out the latest clothes. Food courts and sweet makers are upbeat for big business. The hands of the artisans in Kumartuli have no time to wash the mud and paints, as they have to ready the idols. But this time, Kumartuli, the idol market in Kolkata and puja organizers are facing acute shortage of artisans and labourers as the neighboring North and South 24 Parganas districts were badly battered by the destructive Aila cyclone followed by torrential rains. Many people have gone back to support their families in the villages and island of Sundarbans. It is believed in Bengal that Goddess Durga comes home every year with her four children and stays for four days. Every year she changes her mode of transport, which signifies certain environmental development. With no change, this year too, the goddess is arriving on a palanquin and departing on elephant. Her arrival on a palanquin signifies an outbreak of epidemic while her departure on elephant signifies good harvest. However, Durga Puja unfolds ample opportunities of small time employment and craftsmanship. The various puja organizers evolve themes, of which they display wide range of creative work along with the idols. Budget of these puja’s, which are usually very high, being sponsored by various corporate houses have been curtailed this year as a result of the economic slowdown. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury. September 16, 2009.
