Durga Puja begins

The Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus, begins with the incarnation (Bodhon) of the goddess Durga at temples across the country today.

Preparations for celebrating the five-day festival have nearly been completed.

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In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed greetings to the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of the festival.

The festival starts with “Bodhon” of Durga, marking Sashthi while it will come to an end with the immersion of the goddess' idols in water bodies on October 11.

The Maha Saptami puja will be held tomorrow; Maha Ashtami, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja on Sunday; Maha Nabami Puja on Monday and Bijoya Dashami on Tuesday.

Devotees and artisans are busy making final preparations and decorating the temples and pandals.

According to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, a total of 29,395 permanent and temporary pandals have been erected across the country, including 229 in the capital.

Security has been beefed up at temples and pandals with deployment of additional squads of Ansar, police, Rab and other law enforcement agencies for peaceful celebration of the festival.

To mark the Sashthi, there will be recitation of verses from the Holy Chandi, blowing of conch shells and beating of dhak-dhols at temples and pandals.

A large number of devotees are expected to throng the pandals in the city, particularly at Dhakeshwari National Temple, and offer prayers seeking divine blessings for peace, prosperity and welfare of the country and its people.

On the eve of the occasion, leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee and Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad conveyed greetings to the members of all communities in the country.