Durga Puja To Start With Maha Shashti

The biggest annual festival for Bengali Hindus - Durga Puja - starts on Friday (October 20) with the worship of goddesses and prayers for world peace at 32,407 venues across Bangladesh.

In Dhaka the main puja mandaps are at Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Kalabagan, Banani, Ramna Kali Mandir, Shakhari Bazar and Tantibazar.

Chandranath Poddar, secretary of Puja Udjapon Parishad, said that the total number of venues in the country has increased by 239 compared to last year, and Dhaka has a total of 241 pandals.

According to the belief, the ten-armed goddess Durga arrives as a 'maiden' on Mahalaya, and devotees bid her farewell for the year, hoping for her swift return. The festival lasts for five days, including her arrival and departure.

Chandranath told that Durga Puja involves both worship and joyous celebrations. He stressed that this sense of joy is universal, and Bengalis express it through their religious rituals.

He also highlighted the inclusive nature of the festival, with people from all backgrounds participating.

They provided guidelines to Puja organisers nationwide for a peaceful celebration, he said.

Chandranath urged everyone to stay vigilant to prevent disruptions by extremist groups and emphasised the collective aspiration for a harmonious celebration.

They also discussed with the government to ensure a trouble-free event in accordance with the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to the almanac, this year's mode of Durga's journey to and from Earth is the horse, which is traditionally seen as a symbol of inauspicious signs like conflict, disputes, and bad weather.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed their greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja through separate messages.

In a message, the president remarked that Durga Puja combines the traditions and culture of Bengal, and the Hindu community in the country has been enthusiastically celebrating this festival with various programs for a long time.

"Preserving communal harmony is an enduring Bengali tradition. We should uphold this tradition as we strive for our overall progress. I am confident that the inclusive spirit and unity within Bengali culture will play a significant role in achieving the vision of 'Sonar Bangla' envisioned by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 'Smart Bangladesh' concept presented by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. My hope is for peace and humanity to prevail worldwide."

In her message, Hasina said that Durga Puja is not confined to the Hindu community but has evolved into a celebration for everyone.

It centers around the triumph over evil forces and the veneration of truth and beauty, she said.

"Let's unite, inspired by the spirit of the great Liberation War, to build a prosperous and knowledge-based Bangladesh that fulfills the dream of our father of the nation, ensuring a life free from hunger and poverty, all while preserving communal harmony."