Durga Puja Joy Fills Bangladesh as Bijaya Dashami Approaches
Millions across Bangladesh have marked the sacred occasion of Maha Nabami. This day is a key part of the annual Durga Puja festival. Devotees are now eagerly waiting for Bijaya Dashami. This final day will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday.
During Maha Nabami, various religious rituals took place. These included special prayers called NabamiBihit puja. Offerings of food and flowers, known as ‘bhog’ and ‘pushpanjali’, were made. Many people observed fasting. They then offered their final prayers for the day.
Tomorrow, Bijaya Dashami will mark the festival’s end. Devotees will say farewell to Goddess Durga. They will take the idols in colorful processions. These idols will be immersed in rivers, ponds, and other water bodies. This event is known as ‘Bisarjan’.
The six-day festival has filled the country with joy. It began last Friday with the invocation of Goddess Durga. Colorful decorations and traditional music have created a festive mood. Sounds of drums, bells, and conch shells are heard everywhere.
Devotees have visited puja pandals nationwide. They offer prayers and enjoy the vibrant celebrations. This year, Bangladesh has 33,851 puja mandaps. The capital city, Dhaka, hosts 258 of these mandaps. The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad reported nearly 1,500 more mandaps this year.
In Dhaka, some of the largest celebrations are in Banani. The Gulshan-Banani Puja Foundation hosts an elaborate event at Kamal Ataturk Park. Makeshift pandals at Kalabagan ground and Khamarbari also attract many visitors. These sites have large structures and bright lighting.
Old Dhaka areas like Tantibazar and Shakharibazar also host many Durga Puja celebrations. Other popular places include Ramna Kali Mandir, Siddheshwari Kali Mandir, and Dhaka University’s Jagannath Hall. These locations see large numbers of visitors every day.
