India News | Durga Puja: Idols Made of Waste Materials, Ashtadhatu, Silicon Vie for Acclaim

Kolkata, Sep 29 (PTI) An artist in Kolkata is using waste to make an idol of Goddess Durga in an effort to create awareness among the people about recycling.

The idol, being prepared with materials such as old garments, worn-out shoes, dusted wooden items, broken flower vases and old newspapers, will be installed at the City Centre 1 shopping mall in Salt Lake.

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The waste materials have been collected from different parts of Kolkata over the last one month, said Arijit Ghatak, the artisan who is making the idol at his workshop.

The visitors will be told about the waste materials used in the making as none can understand by seeing the finished idol, said an official of 92.7 Big FM, which has taken the initiative.

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"Since we cannot deviate from the traditions, a small idol made will also be installed for the rituals," he said.

Bengali actor Rituparna Sengupta, who is the face of the campaign, said it is the responsibility of Kolkata's citizens to make it a green city.

"It's our duty to make Kolkata a greener city for future generations, and ensure conscious and sustainable living. What better time for creating this awareness than the Durga Puja, when the entire city erupts in joy," she said.

A community Durga Puja committee in north Kolkata has installed an 11-feet idol made of fibre and ashtadhatu, also called octo alloy.

Mintu Pal, the artisan who created the 1-ton idol for Beniatola Sarbajanin, claimed it to be the most expensive idol of the goddess in West Bengal.

"It will be permanent and worshipped throughout the year," he said.

Another Puja committee has created a 10-feet idol made of silicon. The goddess has been depicted as a mother with baby in her lap, and her three children sitting by her side. The demon is also seen near her with folded hands.

"It is the only silicon idol made in the state. Here, we have depicted Goddess Durga as 'Barir Bou', or housewife who takes care of the household, and slays the demon at the same time. We are celebrating women's power," a spokesperson of Nawpara Dadabhai Sangha in Baranagar said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)