Cox’s bazar: With just a few days left for Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, preparations are going on in full swing in the tourist district of Cox’s Bazar to celebrate the festival with due religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, idol makers in Cox’s Bazar are busy giving the final touches to the deities ahead of Puja. Craftsmen are engaged in decorating the idols, while Puja shopping has gained momentum with women, men, and children actively participating. The organizers are making various arrangements, including ensuring the safety of devotees and food arrangements at puja mandaps. Members of law enforcement agencies are prepared to make the puja festival joyful and prevent unpleasant incidents.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has implemented special security measures to ensure a peaceful environment at all mandaps during the puja. According to District Puja Udjapan Parishad, this year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at around 317 mandaps in nine upazilas of the district. Artisan Milton Bhattacharya noted that the demand for idols is higher this year compared to last year, necessitating around-the-clock work.
Acting General Secretary of the Cox’s Bazar District Puja Udjapan Parishad, Swapan Das, confirmed that Durga Puja will be held at 317 mandaps in Cox’s Bazar. He mentioned that they are working in coordination with the administration for overall security. RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar Battalion Assistant Commander, Major Ehitashamul Haque, stated that RAB has made comprehensive preparations for the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja. He added that check posts have been established in key areas, including the entrance to Cox’s Bazar, to ensure security during the puja. Special patrols and a sufficient number of RAB members will be deployed until Bijoya Dashami.
Meanwhile, special trains will operate on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka routes for four days to accommodate the passenger pressure during the holidays of Durga Puja. According to information from the Bangladesh Railway, the ‘Dhaka Special’ will depart from Chattogram at 2:45 pm on September 30 and arrive in Dhaka at 8 pm. The ‘Chattogram Special’ train will leave Dhaka at 10:30 pm on September 4 and reach Chattogram at 4:30 am the next day.
On the other hand, the ‘Tourist Special’ train will depart from Dhaka at 10:30 pm on September 30 and reach Cox’s Bazar at 6:50 am. On October 1, it will leave Cox’s Bazar at 11:30 pm and arrive in Dhaka at 8:00 pm. The same train will leave Dhaka at 10:30 pm and reach Cox’s Bazar at 6:50 am the next day. The train will operate on both routes simultaneously on October 3. On October 4, the ‘Tourist Special’ will depart from Cox’s Bazar only at 11:30 pm and reach Dhaka at 8:00 pm.