Kolkata: Kumartuli artisans are working round the clock to cater to the deadline of delivery of the idols of Jagadhatri Puja. The making of the Jagadhatri deities started after Kali Puja and the artisans need to deliver the idols by November 4. "We have to deliver the idols the within a short span of time. We have to keep the equipment ready before hand. The climate is not good. There is no sunlight to dry to the idol. We are using gas burner to dry the idols," said Rudrajit Paul, an artisan at Kumartuli. The booking of Jagadhatri idol starts after Durga Puja but the real ground work is commenced only after the Kali Puja is over as the artisans are flooded with orders of Kali idols, which is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in the city. Depending upon the shape and size, the cost of the idol varies between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000. At first, the structure of the Devi is prepared. After that the structure is filled up with clay. Once the clay becomes dry, the colour is put up on the idol. "Over the years, demand for idols of Goddess Jagadhatri has been rising. This year, approximately 1,000 Jagadhatri idols is being sold from Kumartuli," said Indrajit Paul, an artisan at Kumartuli, who is also a scriptwriter and short-film maker. He added that 10 percent of the idols have already left from Kumartuli to the pandals at Chandanagar and the rest will leave on Monday and Tuesday mrning. Jagadhatri Puja is the festival of lights and high spirits. Chandannagar, a former French colony and a small town, is renowned for Jagadhatri Puja celebrations. It celebrates Jagadhatri Puja for five days. However, JagdharthiPuja is celebrated for two days in Kolkata. People from different parts of the state have already started visiting Chandannagar to watch the lighting spectacle that has always been the major attraction during the festival. Jagadhatri Puja is also organised in Krishnagar where people visit several Puja mandaps. Similarly, the Puja is organised in other parts of the state as well as at Ramakrishna Mission Saradapith in Belur.

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