Heavy rain in Ranchi: Countdown to Durga Utsav is going on. Along with Mahalaya, the worship of Maa Durga will start on 14th October. Here, continuous rains in the capital have put a halt to the preparations for Durga Utsav. Be it the artisans making the pandals or the sculptors making the statues, everyone is worried. Everyone is worried that if the rain does not stop in a day or two, the problems will increase. Currently, the pandal construction work has stopped due to rain. The artisans are waiting for the weather to open. The bamboos have become wet in the rain. Work is not being done due to fear of damage to cloth, fiber etc. As soon as the rain stops, the artisans are busy working. Currently, the work on the interior of the pandal is going on, so that the construction of the pandal can be completed on time. Here the sculptors are also using blowers to protect the statues from moisture. Halogen arrangements have been made at some places.
Maintenance of statues in rain has become a big challenge
The sculptors are busy giving final touches to the statue of Maa Durga. But the rain has increased the troubles of the sculptors. Amidst the continuous rain, the sculptors are somehow busy giving the final touches to the statue. Senior sculptor Rambabu Pal says that there is a fear of moisture getting into the idols due to rain. Therefore, efforts are being made to control moisture by applying halogen. Maintenance of statues in the rain is a big challenge.
Confident that work will not be affected: Ajay Pal
Famous sculptor Ajay Pal says that this is the time to give final shape to the statues. But due to heavy rains the troubles of the sculptors have increased considerably. Blowers are being used to protect the statues from moisture. If one or two similar situations continue, difficulties will increase. Still the work is going on in full swing. Have faith in God.
Order has to be fulfilled at any cost: Madhavi Pal
Madhavi Pal, wife of the city’s famous sculptor Late Babu Pal, is now running Shree Art. He said that the problem has increased considerably due to continuous rains. The idols have to be dried by applying halogen. Now there is less time left, so the work has to be completed somehow. All orders have to be fulfilled at all costs.
Pebble blocks are being installed for relief from mud.
Various puja committees of the capital have allotted space in the pandal premises for the fair and food stalls. But stall holders seem worried due to continuous rain. Here the puja committees have written a letter to Ranchi Municipal Corporation demanding relief from the mud. Ashok Choudhary, President of Indian Youth Association Bakri Bazaar, said that pebble blocks are being installed in the stall area with the help of Ranchi Municipal Corporation. This will provide relief to the stall holders. Customers will also be able to taste food items at a hygienic place. At the same time, mortar and dust are being dropped by Ranchi Railway Station Durga Puja Committee, Bandhgaadi, RR Sporting, Mahashakti Durga Puja Committee Booti Mod, Panch Mandir Harmu, Shyamali Colony Durga Puja Committee to provide relief to the stall holders from mud.
This time also the swings will thrill
This year also the residents of the capital will enjoy the fair during Durga festival. Three big swings are being installed in the goat market. Besides, the well of death, break dance, boat swing and many toy swings for small children will be the center of attraction. Besides, there are preparations to install swings etc. in Panch Mandir Harmu and Booti Mod also.
If mother blesses you, work will speed up.
With the blessings of mother, work will soon gain momentum. This time the mother is arriving on an elephant. Because of this, there is some trouble due to rain. Hopefully this rain will stop soon. The work will pick up speed as soon as the rain stops.
-Ashok Choudhary, President, Indian Youth Association
Pandal finishing work is not being done
Pandal construction work is not being done due to rain. The ply etc. installed outside are getting spoiled. Besides, the problem has increased due to power failure for hours. Lighting work is also affected.
-Munchun Rai, President, Railway Station Puja Committee
interior decoration work in progress
Due to rain, work from pandal to gate construction has come to a standstill. Even the structure for the gate light is not being prepared. Everyone is waiting for the rain to stop. At present the work of interior decoration is going on.
-Chanchal Chatterjee, President, Kokar Durga Puja Committee
repairs have to be done again
The problem has increased due to rain. The work which was completed earlier has to be done again. The statues are not drying, due to which the painting work has also been affected. The sooner the rain stops, the sooner the work will start.
-Rana Gop, Patron, Bandhgadi Durga Puja Committee