Tangail:Preparations for the Sharadiya Durga Puja are nearing completion across the district, with celebrations set to take place at 1,357 puja mandaps.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, artisans are working diligently to finish the idols of Goddess Durga and other deities. Most of the clay work has been completed, and the focus has shifted to painting and final decorative touches.
The five-day festival will commence with Maha Shashthi on October 16, following Maha Panchami on October 15. The celebrations will continue with Maha Saptami on October 17, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Navami on October 20, culminating with the immersion on October 21.
A festive atmosphere is evident across the district's 12 upazilas, with temples being adorned and devotees preparing at home. The District Puja Udjapan Front reports that the distribution of puja mandaps includes 60 in Madhupur, 36 in Dhanbari, 94 in Ghatail, 182 in Kalihati, 57 in Gopalpur, 34 in Bhuapur, 233 in Tangail Sadar, 138 in Nagarpur, 128 in Delduar, 270 in Mirzapur, 81 in Basail, and 44 in Sakhipur.
Security has been heightened district-wide to ensure peaceful celebrations, with meetings held between the district administration, police, and puja committee leaders. During visits to several mandaps in Tangail town, including Sri Sri Kalibari and others, idol-making was observed to be nearly complete.
The puja mandap at the ancestral home of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha in Mirzapur, known for attracting VIP visitors, is considered the largest in the upazila. District Puja Udjapan Front President Amal Banerjee stated that preparations are nearly complete and highlighted an increase in mandaps from 1,247 last year to 1,357 this year.
The government has provided 500 kilograms of rice for each mandap, with calls for cooperation to ensure a smooth celebration. Tangail Police Superintendent Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar confirmed that special security measures are in place for the festival.