Durga idol from Kashi to Kanyakumari

Varanasi, Sep 22 (UNI) Even as an idol-maker from Kolkata has given 'desi' attires to Goddess Durga here, another idol of the same goddess, but fashioned by a 'Banarasi Bengali,' has begun its journey from Kashi to Kanyakumari.

A Durga idol carved by Nirmal Chandra Das in Sonarpura area here began its journey to Kanyakumari yesterday with the soldiers of the Assam Rifles posted at the southern extreme of the country.

''This is the fifth year in running when we are taking the prideful religious posession from Varanasi to our base,'' said Havaldar Amit Kumar Sen posted with his batallion near Kanyakumari.

Earlier, the Durga idols carved out by the seasoned idol-maker were installed in the pandals of Assam Rifles in the North East, Pathankot and even at the high altitude of Kargil, just after the historic war, Havaldar Sen added.

But what makes a Bengali like Amit order a Durga idol from Mini-Kolkata -- nickname of Varanasi -- and not the real Kolkata.

''Kashi is the nucleus of Hinduism and the Durga idols fashioned by artisans here are in now way less eloquent than their Kolkatan cousins,'' said the army man.

The well wrapped idol will take a time of four days to reach the Assam Rifles base near Kanyakumari.

Meanwhile, a group of idol makers from Khardah (North Kolkata) are all set to provide Varanasi a Durga idol attired in 'desi gumcha' (scarf) instead of the traditional satin attires.

''Agreed satin is silken and gumcha is rough, but the experiment first done by us in the famous Kalighat Puja in Kolkata five years back will provide the earthy or desi colour to Durga Puja in Varanasi this time,'' said Manoranjan Pal, the leader of the group coming to Varanasi for the last 17 years.

''Desi gumcha is synonymous to the culture of East UP and Bihar and what better way to provide the countryside colour to a Benglachal style Durga idol, but by dressing up in attires carved out of Gumcha,'' said Manoranjan.

A total of 60 gumchas -- red, green, yellow, cream and white have been used for dressing the idol. While the Durga and Lakshami idols will be dressed in red gumchas, that of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Saraswati will be provided yellow, maroon and cream gumchas.

''Even the demon Mahisasur has been dressed in green gumchas,'' said Manoranjan, who handed over the idol to Sur Sangit Club of Chetganj area here this afternoon.

UNI ARS SB LS DS1246