Written by Adrija Datta

The artisan lanes of Kolkata’s Kumartuli, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship of Durga idols, are abuzz with early activity as international shipments have commenced as early as May—four months ahead of Durga Puja 2025, which falls in late September.

Orders have poured in from various parts of the world, with consignments to be sent to Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Orlando in the United States; Toronto in Canada; Melbourne in Australia; Dubai in the UAE; and European cities such as Paris, Rome, Berlin, Warsaw, and Moscow. As per artisans, global demand for handcrafted Durga idols has surged significantly, prompting them to begin exports well in advance to meet logistical timelines and customs requirements.

“There has been a 10 per cent increase in international orders compared to last year. I have received an order of 16 Durga idols for export, with Dubai being a new destination on my list. The Durga idol for Dubai was dispatched in the first half of May,” said Mintu Paul, a veteran artisan of Kumartuli.

Kaushik Ghosh of Joy Durga Bhandar added, “A Durga idol from my studio was dispatched to Moscow last week, and another will be dispatched next week to Melbourne.”

The early onset of global exports, beginning in May, is because of a strategic shift in the idol-making and dispatch timeline. Due to the rising demand from abroad and the need to accommodate long-distance shipping requirements, the idols are being dispatched early.

To withstand the challenges of long-distance transportation, the idols are crafted in fibreglass instead of conventional clay and straw. “Fibreglass offers greater resilience and longevity, ensuring that the intricate artistry remains intact upon arrival,” an artisan said.

“To meet quality and timing expectations, we begin the sculpting and painting work as early as March, with exports commencing from May,” said Subal Paul, another artisan deeply involved in this year’s preparations.