Kumartuli Artisans Ramp Up Durga Idol Production for Global Celebrations

Even though the clang of dhak beats and the scent of incense are still weeks away, the narrow lanes of Kumartuli in North Kolkata are humming with activity. The age‑old potters’ enclave, perched on the Hooghly’s banks, is already polishing the final touches on dozens of Durga idols that will soon travel far beyond India’s borders.

For artisans like 65‑year‑old Pal, who has been shaping deities for more than four decades, the surge in overseas orders feels like a quiet affirmation of the festival’s growing global footprint. “Durga Puja is celebrated with great fanfare worldwide now,” he says, a hint of pride in his voice. “Our business is doing well, and even the Prime Minister has urged us to showcase the festival internationally.”

This year the demand has nudged a little higher: Pal’s workshop has secured orders for 20 Durga idols for foreign celebrations, up from 18 the previous year. Six of those hefty statues are already on their way to the United States, a journey that can take anywhere between 80 and 90 days because of the sheer size and the need for careful handling.

And the map doesn’t stop at America. Orders are rolling in from Canada, Germany, Italy, France, New Zealand, Uganda and Dubai. So far, roughly a dozen idols have left Kolkata, and another batch of ten to twelve is being prepped for the next wave of shipments.

The overseas demand isn’t limited to the Mother Goddess alone. Bengali communities abroad are also asking for smaller deities of Kali, Saraswati and Ganesh to keep their home‑altars festive. Two idols destined for a Chicago congregation have already cleared customs, while more are slated for New Zealand, Italy, France and the United Arab Emirates in the coming week.

Logistics, however, add a layer of complexity. Larger statues—typically those standing over five feet—are shipped by sea, while more compact figures travel by air. “Most of the idols heading abroad are made of fiberglass,” Pal explains, noting that the material is far less fragile than traditional clay and survives the long journey better.

Price tags reflect both size and material. A five‑ to seven‑foot fiberglass Durga can set a patron back anywhere between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹2 lakh, while the towering giants over seven feet often command around ₹3 lakh. Raw‑material costs have risen in recent months, nudging the overall price upward.

Most orders come through online platforms, yet a few expatriates still make the pilgrimage to Kolkata, sometimes as early as December or January, to place their custom requests in person. The personal touch, they say, ensures the idol’s features align perfectly with family traditions.

As the city readies itself for one of its most beloved festivals, the sight of workers in sun‑worn aprons, their hands deftly molding and painting, serves as a reminder: Durga Puja is no longer just a Kolkata affair. It has become a cultural bridge, carried across oceans by the very idols that embody devotion, artistry, and a shared sense of identity.