The idol makers at Ranchi who bring goddess Durga to life !!

Maa Durga Idol making at Ranchi !!

India is a multi – artisans land, known for Indian Culture which is woven with its different religions, traditions, and rituals that attract people from around the world. Throughout the year, people celebrate different festivals with the same zeal and zest. Durga Puja is one of the most awaited and celebrated festivals among the people.

Ranchi is no less in stealing one’s heart and soul for varied reasons. But during Durga Puja, One will get to see the beautifully constructed pandals around the city. The most interesting details about the celebration are the preparations of the colorful festival of love and light which starts three to four months before Dussehra.

The sculpture (murti) making of Goddess Maa Durga idols have a spectacular view to look at in every artisan’s workshop. The limited space in workshops is occupied with various idols of god and goddess. One can see grooming of a beautiful young life with intricate details of the making process, from a completely made shapes to the ones drying under the natural sunshine.

What matters is seeing the love and enthusiasm of artisans who are dedicated to their work proves that your passion lets you forget all the miseries of your life.

Every year, a small number of expert artisans comes to Ranchi basically from Kolkata, at least three months before the beginning of the festival to give different shapes to our beliefs.

The sculpture is brought into existence out of straw, bamboos, clay, mud from the banks of the river Ganga. Ganga mitti(soil) is known as the purest (mitti) soil for making idols, so they are used for making faces of the idols, rest body parts are shaped using local soil from the city itself. The artisans hand paint the statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Kartikeya, the lion, and the demon ‘Mahishashur’.The goddess is dressed up lavishly in pieces of jewelry and silk sarees.

A tradition that is seen primarily in the streets of Kolkata, one mandatory element used in the making of the idol is a handful of soil from outside the brothels or the forbidden territories, the soil is known as ‘Punya Maati‘. The priests believe that the soil is the purest form and symbolizes the divine energy as goddess Durga, who is the symbol of supreme women power.

Durga Puja in Ranchi has always been a colorful and joyfully celebrated festival. One will be able to catch the replica of some famous architectures and sculptures of the country in few meters of land which is worth laying eyes on!

The city is almost getting ready with the best of grandest created pandals to showcase on the ten-day event, dating from day one( Mahalaya), the Goddess is invited to come to earth. The eyes are drawn on the idols in this day, an auspicious ritual called ‘Chokkhu Daan’. This year( 2018), it will take place on October 8. Prayers are offered every day during the festival, and she is worshiped in her various forms. Prayers are concluded on ‘Navami’ with a maha aarti (great fire ceremony), which marks the end of the important rituals. This year( 2018), it will take place on October 18. On the last day, it ends with a ceremony where the idols submerged into the water for a solemn goodbye to Maa Durga(Maa Durga returns to her husband’s abode).

The Ranchi people never miss a chance to fall short of scenic beauty from the city, and during this festive occasion of Durga Puja, the ambiance of the city is a medium for people to share their celebrations, happiness and the joy of the pious occasion.