January 22, 2026 Times of Dakshin Dinajpur
Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat
On the eve of Saraswati Puja, a festival that celebrates knowledge, art and hope, the mood among clay idol makers in Balurghat is unusually subdued.
At Taha Bazar, where rows of Saraswati idols stand carefully arranged, artisans wait quietly for customers who have yet to arrive in expected numbers. With just one day left before the puja, the market remains thinly crowded, leaving many craftsmen worried about losses during what is typically one of their most important selling seasons.
This year, rising costs have weighed heavily on the community. Artisans say the prices of clay, paint, brushes and other essential materials have increased significantly, but the prices they receive for their idols have not kept pace. Many claim they are being forced to compromise on margins simply to make sales.
“Everything has become costlier,” said Bhabesh Pal, a local idol maker. “The raw materials cost more, but buyers hesitate when prices go up. At the end of the day, we barely recover our expenses.” Idols in the market range in price from as low as 100 rupees to as high as 2,000 or 2,500 rupees, depending on size and detailing.
Despite the uncertainty, some artisans still hold on to hope, believing that last-minute buyers may yet appear before the festival begins.Customers, too, acknowledge the strain. Sumit Kundu, a buyer at the market, noted that prices have risen since last year. “An idol that cost 500 rupees earlier is now priced at 750,” he said. “But prices of everything else have also gone up.”
As Saraswati Puja approaches, Balurghat’s idol makers continue to wait — surrounded by the symbols of wisdom and learning — hoping that the goddess will bring not only devotion into homes, but also relief to those who shape her image with their hands.
0 Comments