Durga Puja 2021: A look at the preparations ahead of the festival

Durga Puja is one of the biggest celebrations in the country, which goes on for at least five days. During this time, the Bengali community gets together and makes a cultural splash. Zeroing-in on an idol or getting one custom-made is one of the foremost steps. Take a look at this picture gallery to find out how in the days leading up to Durga Puja, artisans are busy giving final touches to idols. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

Durga idols, which are mostly made in the Kumartuli region, are transferred to the pandals ahead of the festival, where they are placed in the puja mandapa, and then worshipped for the next four-five days. Pictured here is one such pristine idol on its way to its destination. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

Look at this cinematic shot! (Express photo Shashi Ghosh)

Durga Puja is just a few days away. Here's an artisan giving magical, artistic touches to the idol. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Artisan from Bengal giving finishing touches to the face of Durga's idol. The clay has been brought from Ganges riverbed. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

An artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Goddess Durga for upcoming Durga Puja festival, in Gurugram. (Source: PTI)

Durga Puja begins October 11 this year. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

An artist works on a clay image of Hindu goddess Durga at his studio in Kolkata. (Source: AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Labourers manually transport an unfinished clay image of Hindu goddess Durga in Kolkata. (Source: AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Unfinished clay images of goddess Durga placed inside a studio in Kolkata. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Days prior to the festival, artisans remain busy in making the idol. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

An artisan works on a clay idol of Lord Ganesh as part of Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. (Source: AP Photo/Bikas Das)