Dhaka:The countdown for Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Hindu community in the country, will commence with the celebration of Mahalaya on Saturday. This event will be marked by various religious and cultural ceremonies at temples across the nation, including in the capital, Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dhakeshwari National Temple is set to host a series of cultural and religious programs at dawn. The Indian high commissioner in Dhaka is expected to attend the ceremony, as confirmed by Suvasish Kumar Biswas Sadhan, the general secretary of the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee.
Additionally, Ramna Kali Mandir will hold a large-scale Mahalaya celebration early on Saturday, as stated by Mintu Basu, a joint secretary of the temple management committee. Mahalaya signifies the transition from Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to ancestors, to Devi Paksha, the divine fortnight, during which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through puja and offerings.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that Durga Puja will be celebrated at 33,851 puja mandaps nationwide, an increase of nearly 1,500 from last year. The government has raised funding for these mandaps to Tk 5 crore, following directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Durga Puja holiday has been extended to three days, allowing for a five-day break when combined with the weekend, a decision welcomed by the Hindu community.
Preparations for Durga Puja are in full swing, with puja committees and temples busy with decorations, idol installations, and lighting arrangements. The festival formally begins with Maha Shashthi on October 16 and concludes with Bijaya Dashami on October 21, when devotees immerse the idols in water bodies, marking the end of the celebrations.
Authorities are putting measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees, employing a mobile application for monitoring and maintaining a peaceful environment. The Home Ministry has also instructed the provision of uninterrupted electricity at puja venues, emphasizing the importance of a festive and secure Durga Puja.