AGARTALA: With Vishwakarma Puja falling on September 18, idol makers in Agartala’s Battala area are working overtime to complete and sell idols of the deity, even as they report weaker sales compared to previous years.
Vishwakarma Puja, dedicated to the divine architect and craftsman, will be observed across Tripura and the rest of the country with religious solemnity. Artisans in Battala have ramped up production of idols in various sizes and designs to meet the occasion, but say the business climate has grown noticeably tougher.
According to the idol makers, a significant portion of the raw materials and tools needed for crafting the idols must be sourced from other states, pushing up production costs. At the same time, buyer demand has declined, adding to their difficulties.
“Business isn’t like before. But there’s no way to give up this work — our households run on it. However hard it gets, we have to keep going,” one artisan said.
The potters remain hopeful that last-minute sales will pick up in the final days before the puja. However, rising raw material prices, transportation costs, and shrinking market demand have left them worried about the long-term survival of this traditional trade.
The artisans have appealed to the government and relevant departments for support, saying assistance could help sustain and strengthen the craft going forward.