Durga Puja Begins with More Mandaps and Calls for Peace
Bangladesh is ready for Sharadiya Durga Puja. This is the biggest religious festival for Bengali Hindus. The festival begins tomorrow, Friday. Celebrations will happen at 33,851 mandaps across Bangladesh. This number is higher than last year’s 32,351 mandaps. Dhaka will host 258 pujas. This is a slight drop from 261 last year.
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee shared these details. They spoke to journalists at the Dhakeshwari National Temple. They also mentioned a traditional belief. Goddess Durga will arrive on horseback and depart by boat.
Shubhashish Kumar Biswas is General Secretary of the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee. He reported recent attacks on temples and idols. These incidents happened during preparations in several districts. A temple theft also occurred in Faridpur. Hindu homes and shops were attacked in Sunamganj. Police arrested suspects after robberies in Naogaon.
Mr. Biswas called for an end to this violence. He emphasized strong law enforcement. He also urged for better state values and social resistance. Security is vital all year, not just during the festival. He asked that those who commit crimes face justice.
The Durga Puja schedule includes important days. Bodhan was observed yesterday. Maha Shashthi is tomorrow, October 16. Maha Ashtami is on October 19. The festival ends on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami. Processions and idol immersion will take place then.
The Puja committees thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government. They praised the extension of the Durga Puja holiday to three days. This was a long-standing community demand. They also welcomed the return of holy scripture readings at state events. The Prime Minister’s words were also praised. He said, “Religion is individual, but the state belongs to everyone.” This echoed their own four-decade slogan.
Santosh Sharma is General Secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. He said action followed most incidents last year. Idol vandalism happens every year. However, he now feels optimistic. Steps are being taken to address these incidents, unlike in the past.
