With Durga Puja just around the corner, the biggest festival of Tripura, artisans engaged in making the idols and pandals are worried with the untimely rainfall in the state due to the impact of cyclonic storm ‘Titli’.
Capital Agartala witnessed moderate rainfall during the last two days and it seems there will be more showers during the next 48 hours.
The bad weather condition is affecting the coloring work of idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Hara-Parbati and their other celestial companions, construction of pandals, lighting and other preparations for Durga Puja is also delayed.
There is no doubt that artisans and workers engaged in decoration and making of pandals will face difficulties in preparing all these things in time if the adverse weather condition prevails. Moreover, during rains shifting the idols from the studios of the artisans to the pandals also becomes increasingly difficult.
A large number of the workers here come from Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal who are also worried that if they cannot complete the work within the target period then it will be tough for them to return home to enjoy the festival with their family members as because they have already got their return air ticket on specific date and now during the rush hours it will not be possible to defer it and get air ticket for next date.
While preparations for the nine-day festival are on in full swing, the forecast of moderate shower accompanied with wind has dampened the spirit of the city as rain threat looms large over the state during the entire Puja.
Though it has been predicted that the intensity of rain is likely to come down by Panchami, it is yet to be ascertained whether the residual showers will continue to spoil the festive mood in Tripura.