Prayagraj: This Durga Puja, goddess Durga idols will be decked in ornate attire, but with a difference — the sarees, jewellery and weapons will be painted directly on the clay figures instead of using separate materials. Artisans are using natural colours to decorate the goddess idols, so that they can be immersed easily without polluting water bodies or leaving behind non-biodegradable waste.Several prominent ‘barwaris’ in the city have opted for this eco-friendly approach. Artisans from West Bengal are giving traditional idol-making a sustainable twist by replacing artificial ornaments, fabric garments and other decorative materials with painted designs.Akash Bhattacharya, an idol-maker based in Tagore Town, said several prominent ‘barwaris’ had placed orders for elaborate idols of Goddess Durga, accompanied by Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and demon Mahishasur. He said the committees had specifically asked for eco-friendly idols, with particular attention to the materials used in decoration.The process of making the idols begins nearly four months before the festival. Artisans prepare a mixture of dried and filtered clayey soil collected from riverbeds, along with jute, hay and natural adhesives. Once the figures take shape, the artisans use their skills to paint the goddess’s attire, ornaments and weapons, creating the impression of elaborate costumes and jewellery without attaching external items.Sachin Keserwani, a member of the century-old Attarsuiya barwari, said the approach would allow the idols to be immersed with their decorative details intact, eliminating the need to remove garments and ornaments beforehand.The shift comes at a higher cost, with eco-friendly idols estimated to be around 40% more expensive than those decorated with artificial jewellery. However, organisers are supporting the change to reduce the environmental impact of immersion.“By replacing physical decorations with intricate painted designs and natural colours, artisans are seeking to preserve the visual splendour of Durga Puja while ensuring that the idols remain as environment-friendly as possible,” said Umesh Mathur, president of new Baiharana ‘barwari’.
