Sharadiya Durga Puja Starts in Bangladesh

Sharadiya Durgotsab, the most significant religious festival for the Bangalee Hindu community, began nationwide on Sunday with colourful celebrations and deep religious enthusiasm.

The festival was ushered in with the observance of Mahalaya, during which devotees invoked Goddess Durga, symbolically inviting her to descend from Mount Kailash to her paternal home on earth, accompanied by her children—Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Kartik. According to Hindu belief, Goddess Durga descends to earth from the heavens for the duration of the puja, and this year, she is believed to be arriving on an elephant, a symbol of prosperity and abundance.

The festivities commenced with the Maha Shashthi, marked by the ceremonial unveiling of the face of the deity. The celebrations will continue with Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami on the following days. The festival will conclude with the immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami, which falls on October 2 this year.

In Dhaka, major temples and puja mandaps such as Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Ramna Kali Mandir, Azimpur Government Colony Puja Mandap, Joykali Mandir, and Sri Sri Shanidev Mandir in Shankhari Bazar have come alive with elaborate decorations and lighting.

Durga Puja is also being celebrated with grandeur in areas like Banani, Kalabagan, Siddeshwari Kali Mandir, Jagannath Hall at Dhaka University, Khamar Bari in Farmgate, Lalbagh Rishipara, Rajarbagh Kalimandir, and the old quarters of Dhaka including Tanti Bazar.

Temples and puja mandaps have been adorned with meticulously crafted, life-size clay idols of Goddess Durga, depicting her triumph over the demon Mahishasura. Devotees and community members are actively participating in preparations, contributing to a vibrant and devotional atmosphere.

Basudeb Dhar, president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, told BSS that the number of puja mandaps had increased this year. Nationwide, Durga Puja is being observed in 33,355 mandaps and temples, including 258 within Dhaka city.

The interim government has allocated Tk 5 crore in support of Durga Puja celebrations this year.

To ensure the safety and security of the devotees, various law enforcement agencies, including the police, Ansar, BGB, RAB, and others, have been deployed at puja venues. Additionally, volunteers are assisting security personnel at each site to maintain order.

A central control room has been established at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, coordinated by the Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, to monitor security and festival arrangements.

The Cabinet Division has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and other relevant authorities to monitor the law and order situation closely and ensure that Durga Puja is celebrated safely and joyously throughout the country.