The five-day Sharadiya Durga Puja — the biggest religious festival of Hindu community — will begin Sunday (September 28) with Maha Shashthi rituals at temples and puja mandaps across the country.
Preparations have reached their final stage at thousands of venues. Idol makers and artisans are working round the clock to give the finishing touches to elaborate clay statues of Goddess Durga, depicting her triumph over the demon Mahishasura. Devotees are eagerly waiting for puja mandaps to come alive with devotional chants, drumming (dhak–dhol), incense smoke and ululation (uludhoni).
Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Nabami will be observed on the following days, with the festival ending on October 2 with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami. This year, according to religious tradition, Goddess Durga is believed to be arriving on an elephant.
In Dhaka, major temples and mandaps — including Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramna Kali Mandir, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Banani, Kalabagan, Siddheshwari Kali Mandir, Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Khamarbari, Lalbagh Rishipara, Rajarbagh Kalimandir, Tanti Bazar and Shankhari Bazar — are abuzz with decorations and lighting.
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad said Durga Puja will be celebrated in 33,355 mandaps and temples nationwide this year, including 258 in Dhaka city. Shopping malls and markets are crowded as members of the Hindu community purchase clothes and gifts ahead of the festival.
The interim government has allocated Tk 5 crore for this year’s Durga Puja. To ensure safety and security, police, RAB, BGB, Ansar and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed at all puja venues, with volunteers assisting at each location. A central control room will operate from Dhakeshwari Temple under the Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee to coordinate security arrangements.
The Cabinet Division has directed the Home Ministry, Education Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry and other relevant authorities to monitor law and order closely and ensure a peaceful, joyous celebration of the festival.
