Kumortuli, situated in a North Kolkata neighborhood in West Bengal, is essentially a narrow street where generational potters build the clay idols of Ma Durga every year, ahead of Durgapuja - a grand annual Hindu festival in this part of the world.

Starting with the soil collected from the holy Ganga (Hooghly) river flowing nearby, and basic materials such as bamboo and hay, these artisans give life to the goddess who is a symbol of hope, strength, justice and the triumph of good over evil.

It is the hard work, resilience and skillset of the economically backward potters here, battling heavy rainfall in monsoon season and the yearlong hot, humid weather of coastal Bengal, that enables idols of Ma Durga reach different parts of the world, to be celebrated during the annual biggest festival of Bengalis - the Durgapuja in the holy Hindu month of Ashvin.

As we anticipate the pompous arrival of Ma Durga on earth with her children - Devi Laxmi, Devi Saraswati, Deva Ganesh & Deva Kartik in less than 40 days from today, let's spare some moments and acknowledge admiration for the pottery makers, without whose continuous efforts, this festival is not possible at all.

(All images & videos shot on VIVO X200)