Bengal artisans aim for World Record with 125-foot Durga idol

A team of highly skilled artisans in West Bengal's Ranaghat, Nadia district, is on a mission to set a Guinness World Record by creating a 125-foot Durga idol for this year's Durga Puja celebrations. Led by Abhiyan Sangh from Kamalpur village, the team works tirelessly, dedicating nearly 12 to 14 hours each day to craft the colossal figure using clay, straw, and bamboo.

This ambitious project aims to surpass last year's record set by a well-known club in Kolkata, which crafted an 88-foot Durga idol. Unfortunately, the previous idol was damaged due to overcrowding in the pandal. To prevent such mishaps, the current team is using a fiber cast to enhance durability and reduce weight, ensuring the idol's safety during the festival.

In addition to the towering Durga, the artisans are also creating 40-foot idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesha. Durga Puja, a major festival celebrated with great fervor in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. According to mythology, Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasur on this auspicious day.

The festival, spanning ten days, officially begins on the sixth day, marking the arrival of Goddess Durga on Earth. Celebrated with immense enthusiasm, Durga Puja is not just a religious event but also a cultural extravaganza that brings communities together in a vibrant display of devotion and artistry.