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A Durga Puja mandap in Satkhira is preparing an unusual attraction for this year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja, with the goddess’s attire and ornaments being crafted from more than 150,000 matchsticks and over 10kg of silk thread.
The distinctive idol is being made at the Shri Shri Durga Puja Mandap in Dhulihar-Brahmarajpur of Satkhira Sadar, where artisans are painstakingly arranging matchsticks and weaving silk thread between them to create the folds of the goddess’s sari and her ornaments.
From a distance, the decorations resemble fabric folds and glittering jewellery, but a closer look reveals the intricate work made entirely from matchsticks and silk thread.
Idol-maker Nabodwip Sarkar said he had seen similar craftsmanship in Kolkata in 2023 and decided to introduce the technique in Satkhira this year.
Four artisans are working day and night, sometimes continuing until 2:00am or 3:00am, to complete the intricate design. Sarkar has also received orders to make Durga idols at four locations, including Satkhira and Kushtia.
He said special adhesive and chemicals had been used to neutralise the combustible properties of the match heads, adding that precautions had been taken to ensure safety.
Amit Kumar Ghosh, assistant treasurer of the Brahmarajpur Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Temple committee, said the artisans’ fee alone had been set at around Tk 130,000. The total budget for this year’s celebrations is approximately Tk 500,000.
The Durga Puja organised by the estate of zamindar Pashupati Mitra has been celebrated with grandeur for more than 200 years, he said.
Unconventional idols are not new to the temple. Last year, visitors came from far and wide to see an idol made using 100kg of Chinigura paddy. Inspired by the response, the organisers decided to introduce another creative concept this year.
Following concerns over the fire safety of the matchstick decorations, Satkhira Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arnab Kumar Dutta, the officer-in-charge of Satkhira Sadar Police Station and Fire Service and Civil Defence officials inspected the idol and conducted a trial on September 16.
The temple premises have also been brought under CCTV surveillance to ensure the safety of the shrine and visitors.
Across Satkhira district, artisans are busy preparing idols and decorating mandaps in Shyamnagar, Kaliganj, Debhata, Ashashuni, Tala and Kalaroa, creating employment opportunities for potters, bamboo and wood craftsmen, painters and decorators.
Bishwanath Ghosh, general secretary of the Satkhira district unit of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, said 590 mandaps would host Durga Puja in the district this year, up from 587 last year.
The festival began with the observance of Mahalaya on Friday. Maha Shashthi will be celebrated on October 17, while the festivities will conclude with Bijoya Dashami on October 21.
According to traditional beliefs, Goddess Durga will arrive on a horse and depart by boat this year.