Durga Puja has turned out to be more of a social festival. The preparation required to make it successful depends entirely on the contributions from all the sections of the society. Bangalinet has brought forward these important people who are behind the glory of the festival.

Men gathering riverbed silt_________________________________
Fine riverbed silt is required for the final coating of the idol of Goddess Durga. Always in great demand during the Pujas, it is very difficult to amass this fine silt required for the silken effect on the idol. Labourers like Subash Mandal, swim underwater in the Hoogly River in the early hours to gather basketful of silt from the riverbed. A cart is then loaded

Men behind the pandals____________________
Sankar Sarkar fondly known as “Masterda”, leads the Mahishbathan Gramin Hastashilpa Samabaya of North Dinajpur. A team of ten skilled men has come to Kolkata to decorate the city-based pandals. They specialize in handicrafts made of wood, jute and bamboo. Talking to Bangalinet, Masterda said, “This year quite a few Puja committees have invited us to decorate their pandals with works of jute, bamboo and wood. Durga Puja for us

is the time for financial benefit and for all the villages as well as the cooperative engaged in making handicrafts. We pray to the Goddess though our work.”

Dress & Jewellery Designer____________________
For Nanilal Dey and Sons Durga Puja is the time to design dresses, jewelleries and weapons for the Goddess. A 300 year-old family business in Kumartuli, Dey waits for Durga puja as this time of the year is the most lucrative period. Speaking to Bangalinet, Dey said, “ Durga Puja is the greatest festival and Puja for us is the time for good business opportunity. Zari, mukuts

(crowns), weapons, jewellery, chandmala all items needed to decorate the Goddess are sold by us.”