Cuttack Man Expresses Devotion To Durga In Unique Way

Cuttack: Devotion can be expressed in myriad ways, with some building temples and others embarking on pilgrimages.

But for Cuttack resident Anshuman Mishra, devotion is in creating the idol of Goddess Durga and worshiping it as per rituals. And Mishra has been performing this dual task of an artisan and a Brahmin priest for the past 10 years.

Like every year, he has made a three-foot-tall idol of Goddess Durga this time as well. However, unlike in the past when he used paper to make the idol and medha, he has used soil for the first time. “It took me 15 days to make the idol,” he informed.

Mishra, who is an associate professor at Piloo Mody College Of Architecture and resides at Arunodaya Nagar, said painting and sculpting are his hobbies. These find expression in his creating the idol of Maa Durga, he added.

“I had been fond of painting since my childhood. But I could not give it much time due to my studies. Later, I decided to make the idol of Goddess Durga with the help of paper. But this year, I made the idol with clay,” he shared.

Mishra said he follows all the rituals without the help of any priest. “I offer Khichdi bhog on Navami. Then I do the idol immersion ceremony,” he added.

So what inspired him to make the idol of the Goddess and worship it? “There is no particular reason as such. It is just because of my love and devotion towards Goddess Durga,” he replied.

Mishra said he has not taken any training to make idols. “Now, I have an aim to teach children how to make idols with paper and clay. I use these materials so as to keep the environment pollution free,” he said.