Dhaka: Maha Navami, the fourth day of the Sharadiyo Durga Puja observed by the Hindu community, is being celebrated today with offerings of puja and anjali to Goddess Durga, along with the ritual sacrifice of pumpkins, bananas, and cucumbers at temples and makeshift mandaps across the country. The Puja is being celebrated at 33,355 mandaps this year with stringent security measures in place, as reported by the home ministry.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has stated that Durga Puja is being celebrated at 254 Puja Mandaps across the capital city. Today marks a significant day as temples and mandaps expect to see the highest number of devotees and visitors, with the five-day festival set to conclude tomorrow on Bijaya Dashami with the immersion of idols.
On Navami, the Dunuchi Nach is a special attraction and one of the most exciting rituals of the Durga Puja. During this ritual, clay pots filled with smoking charcoal are used. Some participants hold the pots in their hands and dance, while others attempt to balance them on their heads or even hold them by their teeth. Traditionally performed by men, women are now also participating as dhunuchi dance experts.
On Maha Navami, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardini, the Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Devotees perform various rituals and prayers to honor the goddess as part of the Maha Navami puja.
Navami puja involves the recitation of mantras and offerings of items such as fruits, sweets, incense, and lamps. In some temples, animals are sacrificed as offerings to the goddess. Temples and mandaps have been illuminated and decorated, with some pandals portraying different themes that signify various aspects of life and religious stories.
The celebrations have been ongoing since Friday, with recitations of verses from the Holy Sri Sri Chandi, the blowing of conch shells, and the beating of traditional dhak-dhols and kashor. These activities will continue until the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami. In Dhaka, the main puja mandaps include Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramkrishna Mission and Math, Kalabagan, Banani, Shakhari Bazar, and Ramna Kali Mandir.
Major divisional cities such as Chattogram, Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet, along with district towns like Faridpur, Dinajpur, Jashore, Kushtia, Netrakona, Tangail, and Satkhira, are also witnessing massive celebrations of Durga Puja.