Mumbaikars seek idols of Wagheshwari, Amba Ma

Mumbai: The idol makers in the city have witnessed an increase in demand for ‘Wagheshwari’ and ‘Amba Ma’ idols made from clay known as ‘shadu’ for Navratri. Idol makers have brought artisans from Bengal to sculpt these idols. Many groups had booked these artists much in advance. The prices of the idols range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000 depending upon their height.

Talking to The Asian Age, idol maker Ajit Korgavkar said, “We have moulds to sculpt Amba Ma and Wagheswari. The difference between the two is that the one goddess in on tiger and another one is on lion, we have special orders to make these two idols.”

The artisans who make these idols have been in this business for a long time now. And by virtue of their artistic prowess, the idol makers have moved from simple statutes to almost life-like sculptures.

“For the preparation of Durga idol, three things are of utmost importance mud from the banks of the Ganga, cow urine and cow dung,”  said Tapan Mukhop-adhay of Bengal club where the typical Bengali Devi is stationed for five days.

“I have tried to bring some illustration of idol making of Mahishasur-mardini, right from the clay modulation to the formation of the Devi. Most artisans working here for Durga Puja are from West Bengal and they have been working 15 hours a day to meet the demand,” he said.