Making of Durga Pratima

-by Ishita Mondal

–Reading Time – 9 min Approx

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shakti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||

After chanting the holy words, Sayan offered the flower petals to Devi Durga’s feet, guided by the priest sitting there. It is the time of Durga-Ashtami, the most significant day of the Holy Durgapujo. And Sayan is offering the puspanjali or divine flower offerings. It is a notable moment of the day, Durga-Ashtami.

Offering the flowers to the goddess, Rahul came to the stairs down there. His other friends are waiting there to start the regular chit-chat. However, today Sayan is in no mood for gossiping. He was absent-minded. On asking, he expressed his thoughts. Being a student of architecture studying abroad, he could not get much chance to visit his native place, Kolkata. The interesting stories of Bengal’s heritage are yet unknown to him. Now, he wants to learn the stories lied in every corner of the “City of Joy”. Also, he wants to know the details of the making of Durga pratima (idol). From why it is made to how it is made-he intends to explore all aspects of it.

Considering his interests, his friends also got encouraged. So, they reached Mr. Bakshi. Mr. Purnendu Bakshi is a renowned professor of ancient culture and history of the prestigious Jadavpur University in Kolkata. He has immense knowledge about the history, culture, and ethnicity of the different parts of India, especially Kolkata. Sayan and company went to his home and approached him to shed some light on the making of Durga pratima. Mr. Bakshi said, “ Sudhu pratima’r kotha janlei hobe? Maa ke chinte hobe na?” (Only learning about the Durga idol is enough? Don’t you want to know about the divine Mother, Devi Durga?)

All of the boys were happily agreed. They want to learn it. So, Mr. Bakshi started with the Puranic stories of how Durgapujo was started. Then, gradually he proceeded with the making of Durga pratima. Let’s discuss how he explained all of the points.

Making of Durga Pratima- Back to the Beginning

Whenever we look at the Durga idol, the smiling face of Devi Durga welcomes us all every time. We tend to connect our soul to the Bengali Durga idol as our own mother. We participate in the rituals, enjoy the festivities. But, do you know how Durgapujo was started? Here it is.

In various parts of India, Durgapuja has its own stories and heritage. For example, in the Northern parts of India, the festival is called Navaratri. However, in Bengal, it is the moment of Akalbodhan. As per the mythology, the real Durgapujo used to happen in the spring season, during March-April-(Bangla month-Falgun-Chaitra). It still takes place as Basanti Pujo in different parts of Bengal. So, the real Durgpaujo was a spring ritual. But, at war between Shree Ram and Ravana, Shree Ram planned to worship Devi Durga to take her blessings before going to the war. It was the time of autumn, the months of September-October. (Bangla month- Bhadra-Ashwin). So, he performed the rituals of Durgapujo at that time instead of waiting for the right time of spring to come. Thus, Durgapujo was started. As it happens at the wrong time of the year, it is known as Akalbodhan– worshipping before the right time.

Another enthralling story is associated with the Durgapujo. It is said that, in ancient times, the great demon Mahishashur disturbed the earth and heaven with his tyranny. To get rid of the demon’s tyranny, the gods from heaven requested the Tridev- Brahma-Vishnu-Maheswar- to find a way out. Then, combining the divine powers of all of the Gods, a bright divine lady was born. She was empowered with various weapons and ornamented with mesmerizing jewelry. She is Devi Durga.

So beautiful her appearance is! So glorious her presence is! With all her vigor and might, she dominated the demon and put him under her surrender. After that, the whole world, including the heavenly deities, started worshipping her out of gratitude. Thus, Durgapujo was started. The making of Durga pratima is also influenced by the mythological story.

The Bengali Durga Idol and its Complete Structure:

If you look closely at any Bengali Durga idol, known as Durga pratima in Bengali, you will see an interesting pattern. Devi Durga is placed in the middle of the whole structure with the surrendered demon Mahishashur below her feet. It signifies the win of Good over Bad. The main weapon of Devi Durga, the Trishul( Trident) is stuck at the demon’s chest. With them, you can see Devi Durga’s bahan or carrier- the lion. Now, have a look at the other parts of the structure.

It is believed that Devi Durga is Bengal’s own daughter, and she comes home during this time of Durgapujo with all her family. So, the Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha are also there in the structure. Their carriers like an owl for Devi Laxmi, a swan for Devi Saraswati, a peacock for Lord Kartikeya, and a mouse for Lord Ganesha are also worshipped in the same structure. As Mahadev is believed to be the husband of Devi Durga, He is also present in the form of n image or an idol.

Thus, the complete structure of Devi Durga and her family defines a bond of unity and sustainability. As the structure is of great significance, so is the making of Durga pratima. Now, let’s know how this structure is created.

Making of Durga Pratima- A Quick Visit to Kumortuli:

So, how the embellishing structure of the Durga idol is created? Well, the making of Durga pratima is an amazing task. Before we delve into its details, let us tell you that there are two types of Durga pratima. One is traditional defining the heritage of Bengal. And another one is theme-based structures which are now quite popular with respect to the global significance of the Durgapujo festival. Let’s know how both of them are made.

Making of Durga Pratima- The Basics:

Durga idol is usually made of clay, combining it with grass, hay, etc., to bind a firm form. Kolkata and different other parts of Bengal have a dedicated place called kumortuli. If you want to know about the making of Durga pratima, you must visit any of them. First of all, the basic structures of the deities are made. The skilled artisans in kumortuli create beautiful images of the structures by moving and swirling their hands and tools. Thus, the deities are born their clay-birth.  The clay-made structures are then dried up in sunlight.

Once they are dried up properly, the artists come up with various colors, dresses, and jewelry to decorate the deities. The idols are painted with different colors. Dresses and jewelry are used to decorate them. However, an interesting fact lies here. The eyes of Devi Durga are left undone in many places. Before the beginning of Durgapujo, it is done by the priest through the “Chakkshudan”( drawing the eyes) ceremony.

So, in this way, the Durga pratima is made. Now, let’s know how the traditional one is different from the theme-based pratima.

Durga Pratima – Traditional and the Theme-based:

As we said, traditional Durga pratima bears the heritage and age-old culture of Bengal. So, it is created the way our ancestors used to create it. With certain inevitable modifications, the essence is still the same. Usually, traditional Durga pratima comes under one single structure. There are two types of decorations used to deck up this structure. One is Sholar Saaj and another one is Daker Saaj.

The first one is made of a pure white material extracted from a plant known as shoal. It usually grows in marshy areas in different parts of India and southern parts of Asia. Gradually, when pomp and luxury became more prevalent, the daker saaj was introduced. Isn’t the name interesting? Let us tell you how the name was attributed to the decoration.

This daker Saaj decoration is made of silver foil or rangta. At that time, it was imported from far away Germany; the artisans use to receive it through mail or ‘dak’ in Bengali. Therefore, it was given the name of Daker Saaj, decoration materials that have come via mail or ‘dak’. The prestigious Sovabazar Rajbari in Kolkata probably used this decoration for the first time. Even still, amidst all of the fancy and sophisticated decorations, daker saaj brings in a pleasant ambiance.

On the other hand, there is another variation called theme-based structure. It is becoming popular for the last few decades. It signifies the fact that Devi Durga and Durgapujo bear cultural heritage as well, along with religious significance. Therefore, in theme-based structures, you can find glimpses of Bengal’s culture and tradition.

The art and craft of such decoration cover a large part of the state’s economic infrastructure. In such decorations, unique materials are used to create the idols. Many a time, the latest significant happenings are represented in the theme. From ancient scriptures to the latest Bollywood movies- all can be found in these structures. With all its variations, it attracts visitors from different parts of the world. Tourists across the world love to visit the glory of Bengal during Durgapujo.

Making of Durga Pratima: Some Unknown Facts:

While Durgapujo bears cultural and religious significance, the making of Durga Pratima has some interesting facts associated with it. Let’s have a look at them.

• The first soil or punya mati for the creation of the idol is collected from the brothel. As per the belief, the people who go to the brothel leaves their virtues and purity outside the house. Thus, the soil outside the house of a brothel is considered pure. Also, another explanation is that Maa Durga never discriminates among her children. So, collecting soil from the brothel is a sign of love and acceptance for all.
• Kalabou is another member of the family of Devi Durga, whom we often forget. Kalabou (banana plant attributed as a wife) is actually the wives of Lord Ganesha. The names are Riddhi-Siddhi.
• The Chakkhsudaan ceremony, in which the priest draws the eyes of the Devi Durga, happens in pure darkness. Still, the position of the eyes never goes wrong.

Enjoy the Festivity- Adorn the Divinity:

So, the making of Durga pratima holds dual significances- the religious and the cultural. By the grace of Maa Durga, the artisans put their best efforts and maintain the legacy of Bengal through these sculptures. We hope to continue it further, spreading the message of goodness overcoming evil across the world.

-by Ishita Mondal

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