Rains have hit Durga Puja preparation in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh town.
The artisans engaged in making idols are having a tough time due to incessant rains.
The rains have halted constructions of a number of marquees while some puja committees are passing tense moments due to waterlogging outside their pandals.
“Our works have been hampered due to the inclement weather. We are having a tough time as we have to complete our work on time. But rains have slowed down our works,” said Swapan Paul, an idol-maker of Dibrugarh town.
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“If the weather continues to remain bad then our work will be severely affected. We have to complete our work on time,” added Paul.
The locals also expressed that the rain is likely to dampen the Durga Puja festivity.
“Incessant rains have affected our work. Our workers are working round the clock to complete the work on time but the rains are playing spoilsport,” said Raju Krishan Keshan, president of Jhalukpara Puja Committee.
He said their puja will be inaugurated on October 3.
“Some areas outside our puja mandap were waterlogged two days ago. However, we have taken adequate measures to dry the area,” added Keshan.
He informed that their Durga Puja celebration will enter 62nd year this time.
“Every year huge crowds throng our puja mandap and this time also, we are expecting a large crowd from Dhemaji side due to the Bogibeel Bridge which was opened last year,” he further said.
The puja committees of Dibrugarh are leaving no stone unturned to give final touches to their pandals despite rains.
“We have made our pandal waterproof so that rains cannot affect it. To keep this in mind, we have done all the arrangements. We are celebrating Platinum Jubilee this year and our theme is based on Dreamland,” said Ashok Dhanuka, president of Marwari Patty Durga Puja Committee.
“Our idols have been made of clay, which is totally eco-friendly. We will organize the puja in a traditional way. We are expecting a good crowd this time,” added Dhanuka.
The rains have also prevented the people from going out to the markets for puja shopping.