Agartala : The Kathamo Khili Puja of Goddess Durga’s idol was held at Durga Bari this week, observed according to religious customs and age-old rituals. The ceremony formally marked the beginning of idol construction ahead of the upcoming Sharadotsav.
According to tradition, the Kathamo Khili Puja is considered a vital ritual performed before the actual sculpting of the idol begins. The rites were completed through prescribed puja procedures and mantra chanting, drawing devotees and visitors to the Durga Bari premises amid a charged religious atmosphere.
With the ritual now complete, artisans will begin shaping the idol from its bamboo frame, using clay, straw and bamboo to bring the goddess’s form to life over the coming days. Each stage of the process is expected to reflect the sculptor’s skill and years of experience.
Preparations for Sharadotsav have gathered pace at Durga Bari following the ritual, with idol-making now underway alongside other arrangements for the puja. Organisers said the Kathamo Khili Puja effectively marks the start of the countdown to Durga Puja, as the region’s festive season begins to take shape ahead of the goddess’s arrival.