Munshiganj:Durga Puja, a significant religious and cultural festival for Bengali Hindus, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Munshiganj. This festival honors Goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over the demon Mahishasura, serving as a major occasion for social and familial gatherings.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tradition of celebrating Durga Puja in Munshiganj dates back approximately 350 years. Initially, it was an exclusive event for zamindar families, reflecting their social status. The Bhagyakul Rajbari hosted the first Durga Puja during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, marking it as the oldest in the region.
Over time, Durga Puja evolved from private zamindar celebrations to a public festival. Community-wide observances began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, expanding beyond the zamindar estates to public spaces across neighborhoods. Today, the festival is celebrated at 357 mandaps throughout the district.
The government now supports these celebrations by providing rice allocations to each mandap. This year, the allocation increased to 214.20 metric tons of rice, up from the previous year's supply. Security measures are in place to ensure peaceful celebrations, which will conclude with Vijaya Dashami on October 21.