Dang couple busy crafting idols for Dashain festival

With the festival of Dashain approaching, JP Magar and his wife Janaki Magar of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-17, Gairagaun, find themselves fully occupied with crafting idols of Goddess Durga. According to JP Magar, the requirement for these statues grows annually because communities follow a custom of setting up and worshipping representations of Goddess Durga across multiple locations during the celebrations. Although seasonal orders for Goddess Durga reach their peak during this specific period, the pair also produce figures representing various other deities, along with statues of people and representations of birds and animals during the remainder of the year. The creators note that the overall expenses and hours required for each piece depend entirely on the specific design and the materials utilised. Operating through their enterprise, the artisan pair depends entirely on crafting these sculptures to sustain their household and secure an income. Reports indicate that the tradition of establishing temporary shrines and devotional spaces drives continuous orders for skilled craftspeople throughout the region during the festive calendar.