Preparations for Durga Puja are in full swing across Jashore, with artisans working day and night to give final touches to idols ahead of the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival.

This year, the Chanchra Srihari Temple is drawing particular attention, where 101 idols based on different themes from the Mahabharata are being crafted at a single mandap.

The countdown to Durga Puja will begin with Mahalaya on Saturday. The five-day festival will formally begin on October 17 with Maha Shashthi and end on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami.

According to the District Puja Udjapan Parishad, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 737 mandaps across the district this year, an increase from previous years.

From urban neighbourhoods to village lanes, artisans are busy giving the idols their final touches. After preparing the basic frames, they shape the figures with clay, let them dry and then paint and add intricate details.

Artisan Sadhan Mondal said they have received more orders for idols this year.

“We are now working on the painting. Drawing the eyes and facial features accurately is difficult and time-consuming. We hope to complete the work on time,” he said.

The Chanchra Srihari Temple is expected to be one of the main attractions of this year’s celebrations.

Tapas Kumar Sarker, president of the temple, said the 101 idols are being created to introduce younger generations to the history, culture and traditions of the Sanatan faith.

“Even before the idols are completed, visitors from different places have started coming to see the mandap,” he said.

Idols depicting different episodes from the Mahabharata are being displayed, while figures portraying the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are also being prepared.

Local resident Mohan said people of different faiths traditionally celebrate the festival together in the area.

“We always celebrate the festival together. The administration has assured us of security, and we expect everyone to celebrate Durga Puja safely and peacefully,” he said.

Devotee Amal Kumar said rising prices of essential goods have put some pressure on household and puja budgets, but have not dampened the festive spirit.

“Like previous years, we are ready to celebrate the five-day festival together, setting aside differences of caste, religion and creed,” he said.

The District Puja Udjapan Parishad has taken measures to ensure a clean and pleasant environment at the mandaps.

Its General Secretary Tapan Kumar Ghosh said they see no security threat during the festival.

He said electricity use will be kept to a minimum to reduce wastage and that the celebrations will be free from DJ music.

Jashore has a long tradition of communal harmony, and Durga Puja is celebrated there as a festival that brings people from different communities together.

Regarding security, Mirajul Islam, spokesperson for Jashore District Police and additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations), said no incident of idol vandalism or other untoward activity has been reported in the district so far.

He said security measures have been strengthened at all mandaps so that devotees can celebrate the festival safely and peacefully.