Durga is expected to arrive three months later by boat, but this Durga is already set to travel with her children from Howrah to Ireland by ship. This 10- feet tall Durga idol (height includes backdrop or chala) is all made of fibre. Saikat Basu, the young sculptor from Government Art College, has been working on this idol for the past four months in his workshop at Khurut Panchanantala in Central Howrah. “The idol is for Sujan Bengali Cultural Society in Dublin. They are performing Durga Puja for many years but this time they need to change the idol. This idol should last them another seven to eight years,” said Saikat. The entire structure can be dismantled and it can easily be assembled once it reaches the destination. “Each idol – Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh, can be separated from the structures. These idols can be worshipped on their respective puja,” said Saikat. “We are assuming it will take at least 40 to 45 days to reach Dublin,” he added. This is the first time that Saikat is working on a foreign assignment. “I have worked on theme idols and pandals earlier, but this is the first time I am working on such a project,” said Saikat.
