Steel city artisans are being swamped with last-minute orders for Durga idols and are now unsure whether they will be able to deliver them in time.

Subodh Gorai, who used to make around 20 idols of Goddess Durga every year, had come to terms with making 15 idols this time, given the Covid restrictions on lavish Pujas.

But with the state government’s Puja guidelines, issued on October 1, allowing idols but restricting their height to 4 feet, many organisers who had decided on holding pujas this time with a photograph of the goddess, have changed their minds.

"All those Puja organisers who had given orders for idols earlier had asked for small idols, ranging from 4 feet to 5 feet in accordance with a decision taken locally by the Jamshedpur Kendriya Durga Puja Committee two months ago,” he explained.

But after the government notification was issued on October 1, five organisers have come to him and placed orders. “Though I have not refused them, I now realise that it is going to be very difficult to make these idols within such a short period," Gorai said, referring to the Puja that begins on October 22 with Shasti.

There are over 50 artisans who make idols for 320 puja committees in and around the steel city. This time, at least 25 per cent of the organisers had decided to do away with idols, unsure whether these would be allowed in the first place. They agreed to use a symbolic “ghat” or “kalash” or photographs in keeping with the district administration’s decision to keep celebrations low-key in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But many changed their minds after the state government came out with guidelines allowing idols if these were within 4 feet. Jamshedpur Kendriya Durga Puja Committee president Rambabu Singh confirmed that over 25 per cent Puja organisers had not placed orders for idols. "I have persuaded artisans on my behalf to somehow make the idols despite the delayed orders. After all, that is the tradition," said Singh while talking to this website.

Narayan Chandra Das, an office-bearer of the Bara Govindpur Durga Puja Committee in Govindpur, said they weren’t sure whether their idol would be ready in time.

"Worshipping an idol will give us and our visitors more satisfaction. It is certainly better than worshipping a ‘kalash’," he said.