Silicon Durga idol depicting lives of sex workers created in Kolkata

Durga Puja is the biggest festival in West Bengal and the people of the state celebrate the festival with religious zeal and fervour. Kolkata is famous for presenting new themes during the Durga Puja.

Furthering the tradition, pandal and idols depicting the lives of sex workers under the 'Parichai' (identity) theme have been created for the celebrations during this year's festival. The pandal has been brought up by the Nawpara Dadabhai Sangh Puja Committee in the city.

The preparations for the Durga Puja in the state are in full swing with new and innovative themes on display.

The sculptors in Kolkata present various themes while preparing the Durga idols. One such pandal showing the lives of the sex workers has been brought up which also shows the society they live in and the way people see them, and the manner they remain anonymous in a different world without an identity.

In a first, an idol of Maa Durga, made of silicon, has been installed in the panda. The idol has been given the form of a mother to show to depict the emotions of sex workers.

The concept and theme designer, Sandip Mukherjee expressed his perspective on the work the sex workers and said that there is a need to bring about a change in the perspective of people.

During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri. During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives.

On the tenth day of Navratri, also known as Vijayadashami, a large procession is organised during which clay figurines of Maa Durga are ceremoniously submerged in rivers, seas and oceans. Popular places to do this practice include West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bihar. The most significant day for Maa Durga's worship is thought to be the day of Durga Visarjan.

In India, Navratri is celebrated in a wide range of ways. Ramlila, a celebration in which scenes from the Ramayana are performed, is organised in north India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The burning of Ravana's effigies marks the conclusion of the story on Vijayadashami.