Dhaka: Durga Puja preparation is going on in full swing across the country with only five days left for the biggest religious festival of the Bengali Hindus. The annual five-day Sharadiya Durgotsab will begin with the unveiling of the face of the deity on the day of Maha Shasthi on September 28. The festival will conclude with the immersion of the idols of the Goddess Durga on Bijoya Dashami on October 2. Idol makers and artisans are currently experiencing their busiest period as they apply final touches to the idols for Durga Puja at puja mandaps nationwide.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, idol artisans are meticulously crafting the idols to create exquisite pieces of artistry. The skilled hands of the clay artisans are shaping the idols beautifully. After forming the idols with straw and clay, the work of coating and coloring is underway. Temples are also being decorated and prepared round the clock to welcome the festivities.
Visiting several puja mandaps in Old Dhaka revealed artisans carefully crafting idols of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Asura, and others using clay, bamboo, straw, and ropes. On Sunday, the celebration of Mahalaya marked the countdown to the festival. With the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha, Goddess Durga was invoked through the chanting from Shree Shree Chandi.
In Dhaka, Durga Puja is celebrated in the largest number of mandaps in Old Dhaka. This year, mandaps are being set up in locations including Dhakeshwari National Temple, Azimpur Government Colony, and Rishi Para Durga Temple, among others. The construction of stages, pandals, gates, and idols is proceeding at a brisk pace.
Preparations are also ongoing at other significant sites such as Swamibagh Loknath Temple, Ramna Kali Mandir and Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Siddheshwari Kali Mandir, among several others. Artisans expressed that they eagerly await this time each year to create idols of Goddess Durga, which is both a source of livelihood and a deeply connected devotion to the Goddess. “Durga idol is made as if she is our own mother,” said an artisan.
This year, Goddess Durga will arrive on an elephant and depart on a palanquin. The arrival on an elephant is considered auspicious, symbolizing prosperity and crop abundance, while the departure on a palanquin may indicate ominous signs, such as epidemics or natural adversities.
Speaking to BSS, Basudeb Dhar, President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, noted that extensive preparations are underway and the number of mandaps has increased this year. Across the country, 33,355 mandaps will arrange Durga Puja, including 258 in Dhaka city alone. Last year, 31,461 mandaps arranged the festival nationwide, with 252 in Dhaka city, according to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Dhaka Mahanagar Puja Committee.
Meanwhile, the interim government has allocated Tk five crore for Durga Puja this year, with Tk four crore distributed across the country and Tk one crore for the hill districts, Secretary of Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Devendra Nath Uran told BSS. On Monday, visiting the premises of Dhakeshwari National Temple, it was observed that idol-making is proceeding in full swing, with structures covered by curtains during the process.
Barun Chakraborty, the priest of Dhakeshwari Puja Mandap, informed BSS that the countdown of Durga Puja began with the celebration of Mahalaya yesterday, praying for the well-being of the nation as well as world peace.