Persistent rain in Dhanbad is slowing the drying, painting and finishing of Durga idols, leaving artisans with a narrow window to complete orders before the idols are expected to be ready for public viewing from Saptami on October 17.
Idol makers in the district have been working on clay figures for nearly two months, but high humidity and a lack of sunshine have delayed the drying process, according to a report by the Times of India. The disruption has increased pressure on artisans and raised concerns among puja organisers about the timely delivery of idols to pandals across Dhanbad.
Dulal Pal, an idol maker from Luby Circular Road, said the continuing rain had sharply slowed work. “If the weather does not clear soon, we may have to use a coal-fired furnace to dry the idols,” he said.
The drying stage is essential before artisans can move on to painting and final detailing. With the festival less than a month away, any further delay could affect both the completion of the idols and their transportation to puja venues, Pal said. The article did not specify how many artisans or orders had been affected across the district.
Artisans have been relying on the possibility of improved weather to place the idols in the sun and finish the remaining work without compromising quality. The continued absence of suitable sunlight has limited that option and compressed the time available for each stage of production.
The disruption also illustrates the dependence of traditional festival production on weather-sensitive, largely manual work. In Dhanbad, the impact is being felt not only in workshops but also through the delivery chain connecting idol makers with puja organisers and neighbourhood pandals.
The rain has been linked in the report to a depression and has disrupted daily life in several parts of the region. For idol makers, however, the immediate concern is the approaching October 17 viewing deadline and whether the weather will clear in time for drying, painting, detailing and transport.
Artisans and organisers are now waiting for conditions to improve. The next operational milestone is the completion and delivery of idols before Saptami, when they are expected to be placed for public viewing.
