Hyderabad, Sept. 20 -- As the festive season approaches, artisans in Hyderabad are burning the midnight oil to craft exquisite Durga idols, each one a masterpiece.

Kailash Kumar Mandal, a skilled artisan who has been making clay idols for 22 years, shares his journey. Originally from Kolkata, Mandal started this business in Hyderabad and has been perfecting his craft ever since.

With Ganesh Chaturthi barely behind us, Mandal and his team have already begun working on Durga idols. Time is of the essence, and the recent rains have added to their woes. "We have a lot of deliveries lined up till September 22, and we're working day and night to finish our work," Mandal explains.

The artisans offer nearly 22 varieties of Durga idols, ranging...