With Durga Puja just around the corner, Lalmonirhat is brimming with festive excitement as final preparations take shape across 467 mandaps in the district.

The five-day festival, the biggest religious celebration for the Hindu community, will begin on September 28 with Mahasashthi and conclude on October 2 with Vijaya Dashami.

From city centers to remote villages, artisans and organisers are working tirelessly to finish building idols and decorating mandaps.

Skilled hands are shaping stunning idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage — Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Kartik, and the demon Mahishasur — using clay, straw, bamboo, and vibrant paints.

According to the district administration, this year’s Puja celebrations will be held at 161 mandaps in Sadar upazila, 114 in Aditmari, 92 in Kaliganj, 71 in Hatibandha, and 29 in Patgram.

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During visits to several temples and pandals, it was observed that idol-making has reached its final stages, with clay work completed and painting underway.

Major temples like Shri Gourishankar Goshala Society Durga Temple, Kalibari Sarvajanin Durga Temple, and Kacharibari Sarbojanin Durga Temple are nearly ready, while rural mandaps in Burr Dighi, Karjitari, Barabari Bazar, Sakoa, and other areas are also nearing completion.

Kaliganj-based artisan Subal Chandra said the clay work is done; we’re now focusing on painting. We’re putting our best efforts into detailing each idol. Everything will be ready on time.

He mentioned that the cost of idols ranges between Tk 40,000 and Tk 110,000.

District Puja Celebration Council President Hiralal Roy said work is progressing smoothly and praised the administration and law enforcement for their ongoing support.

District President of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, Babu Gurucharan Roy, expressed hope that, like every year, this year’s Durga Puja will also conclude peacefully.

District Superintendent of Police Tariqul Islam said that special security arrangements and surveillance will be in place throughout the festival.

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“Police and intelligence agencies will be on high alert to ensure a peaceful celebration,” he said.

Meanwhile, leaders from various political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, have also been visiting the mandaps and engaging with the Hindu community, reinforcing the festive and inclusive spirit of the season further.