Dhaka:Maha Saptami, the second day of the six-day Sharadiya Durga Puja, saw puja mandaps across the country come alive with vibrant decorations, traditional Dhak beats, and the sounds of kashor, ghonta, and conch shells. Devotees gathered to celebrate this significant occasion with traditional rituals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Maha Saptami tithi spans two days this year, providing an extra day for the celebrations. The day began with the Nabapatrika bathing ritual, where nine plants symbolizing different forms of Goddess Durga are ceremonially bathed and worshipped. This ritual, known as Nabapatrika Snan or Kalabou Snan, involves dressing a banana plant and eight other plants in a red-bordered white saree and bathing them in sacred water.
Following the ritual bath, the Nabapatrika is brought to the Durga Puja pandal for worship alongside Goddess Durga, symbolizing the sacredness of nature and divine energy. The day also included the offering of anjali by devotees at temples nationwide.
The Dhakeshwari National Temple emerged as a focal point of the celebrations in the capital, attracting many devotees. This year's festivities are marked by a significant increase in the number of puja mandaps, totaling 33,851, with 258 in the capital alone. The Gulshan-Banani Puja Foundation is hosting a notable celebration with the theme 'Jalaja,' inspired by water, at Kamal Ataturk Park.
Upcoming rituals include Maha Ashtami on Monday, featuring Kumari Puja, and Sandhi Puja in the evening. Maha Navami will follow on Tuesday, leading to the farewell of Goddess Durga on Maha Dashami, with idol immersions in water bodies.
The government has granted a three-day holiday for Durga Puja, extending the break to five days with the weekend. This extension was welcomed by the Hindu community and highlights the festival's cultural and religious significance in Bangladesh.