Dhaka: Five-day Sharadiya Durgotsob, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, will begin tomorrow. Preparations are underway for the annual festival at temples and makeshift puja mondops across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Hindu community recently celebrated Mahalaya, inviting Goddess Durga to her paternal home on earth from Kailash along with her offspring Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Kartik. Devotees believe that Goddess Durga arrives on earth from heaven during the puja, and this year, she will arrive on an elephant.
In anticipation of Sharadiya Durgotsab, idol makers and artisans are busy giving final touches to idols at puja mandaps. Devotees eagerly await the filling of puja mondops with devotional chants, the smoke of dhup, drum beats, kansar-mandira, and ululation.
The festival will commence with the unveiling of the deity's face on Maha Shashthi, followed by celebrations of Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami. The festival concludes with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami.
In Dhaka, iconic locations like Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and others are buzzing with decoration and lighting preparations. Durga Puja will also take place at various locations including Banani, Kalabagan, and Siddeshwari Kali Mandir.
Life-size clay idols of Goddess Durga, depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura, are being set up in temples and puja mondops. Artisans are methodically crafting these idols as pieces of artistry.
The Hindu community is also busy shopping, with malls and stores crowded with customers. Basudeb Dhar, President of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, noted an increase in the number of puja mondops this year. Durga Puja will be celebrated in 33,355 mondops and temples nationwide, with 258 in Dhaka city.
The interim government has allocated Taka five crore for Durga Puja, and law enforcement agencies will ensure the safety and security of devotees. Volunteers will assist at each location, and a central control room will be established at Dhakeshwari Temple to monitor security.
The Cabinet Division has instructed relevant authorities to closely monitor the law and order situation during Durga Puja to ensure a safe and joyous celebration.