The five-day Sharadiya Durgotsob – the largest religious festival for the Bangalee Hindu community – has begun across Bangladesh, marking a time of joy, devotion, and cultural celebration.
The festival honours Goddess Durga, symbolising the triumph of good over evil, and is a significant event for Hindus nationwide.
On Sunday, the Hindu community celebrated Mahalaya, a key moment in the festival when they invite Goddess Durga to return to her paternal home on Earth from Kailash (heaven), accompanied by her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Kartik.
This year, the Hindu belief holds that the goddess will descend to Earth riding an elephant, adding a unique touch to the celebrations.
The festival commenced with the unveiling of the goddess’ face on Maha Shashthi, the first day of the festival. Over the next days, devotees will celebrate Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami, culminating in the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami on 2 October.
This marks the end of the festivities and the symbolic return of Goddess Durga to her heavenly abode.
In Dhaka, numerous temples and puja pandals, including Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and Ramna Kali Mondir, have been meticulously decorated with vibrant lights and ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere.
Durga Puja is also being celebrated at several key locations across the capital, including Banani, Kalabagan, and Jagannath Hall at Dhaka University, among others.
The hallmark of the celebrations is the exquisite life-size clay idols of Goddess Durga, often depicted slaying the demon Mahishasura, a representation of the battle between good and evil. These idols are intricately crafted by skilled artisans, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship and artistic dedication.
This year, Durga Puja is being celebrated in 33,355 mandaps and temples nationwide, with 258 of them in Dhaka alone. According to President of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Basudeb Dhar, the number of puja mandaps has increased compared to previous years, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for the festival. The interim government has allocated Tk 5 crore to support the celebrations.
To ensure the safety and security of the devotees, law enforcement agencies, including police, Ansar, BGB, and RAB, have been deployed at puja pandals across the country.
Volunteers are also assisting law enforcement at various locations. A central control room has been set up at Dhakeshwari Temple, coordinated by the Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, to monitor security arrangements during the celebrations.
The Cabinet Division has directed the Home Ministry, Education Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry, and other relevant authorities to closely monitor the law-and-order situation throughout the Durga Puja festivities, ensuring a safe environment for all participants.
The festivities, which bring together people from all walks of life, reflect the cultural and religious significance of Durga Puja to the Bangalee Hindu community. With security measures in place and celebrations underway, Durga Puja 2025 promises to be a memorable and safe occasion for all.
