While the last-minute rush of idol making is going on across Satkhira ahead of the autumn Durgotsav, an exceptional Durga idol is being made at the Sri Sri Durga Puja Mandap in Dhulihar-Brahmarajpur of Sadar Upazila. This idol made of more than 150,000 matchsticks and more than 10 kg of silk thread has already become the center of curiosity of visitors.

Amid the white flowers of autumn and the arrival of the festival, the meticulous craftsmanship of the artists is going on in the mandap from morning till night. More than 150,000 matchsticks are being placed one by one on the clay form, and the delicate design of silk thread is being added to it. Four artists have been working on making this exceptional idol for several months.

Idol artist Nabadwip Sarkar said that he learned the technique of making idols with matchsticks in India. From that experience, he is making such idols for the first time in Satkhira.

Amit Ghosh, co-cashier of the Brahmarajpu Puja Celebration Committee, said that last year, the idol was made with 100 kg of sugar-powdered rice, which attracted a large number of visitors from far and wide. This time, an initiative has been taken to make idols with matchsticks and silk thread to bring more innovation. About five lakh taka is being spent on this.

The organizers have also sought the cooperation of the administration along with their own volunteer force for the safety of the visitors.

Gautam Kumar Biswas, president of the Brahmarajpu Puja Celebration Committee, said that due to concerns about the flammability of matchsticks, measures have been taken to reduce the risk by using special chemicals.

The committee’s advisor, Kanai Lal Kanu Saha, said that they believe that this idol made of more than 150,000 matchsticks is being built in Brahmarajpur for the first time in Bangladesh. As a result, they expect more devotees and visitors to gather from far and wide this time.

According to the information of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, preparations for Durgotsav are underway in more than five hundred puja mandap in Satkhira district this time. Bishwanath Ghosh, general secretary of the District Puja Udjavan Parishad, said that they expect people not only from Satkhira but also from different districts of the country to come to see this exceptional idol.

This artistic creation made of matchsticks and silk thread has added a unique dimension to the autumn Durgotsav of Satkhira this time.