The five-day-long Durga Puja, one of the most significant religious festivals of Hindu community, began on Sunday {28 September), with Mahashasthi, marking the arrival and installation of Goddess Durga idols in temples and mandaps across Bangladesh.
Celebrated with grandeur, Mahashasthi is the first day of the festival when devotees invite the Goddess to her earthly abode with rituals, prayers, and the installation of her idol. Various locations in Dhaka, including key temples and public spaces, have been adorned with decorations as people from all walks of life gather to pay their respects.
This year’s celebrations are held amidst heightened security measures. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has urged government to ensure the safety of the minority communities during the festival, given the importance of the event to the community.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed additional law enforcement presence to prevent any untoward incidents. Alongside routine law enforcement the ministry has directed Bangladesh Border Guards(BGB) to beef up security of the temples and pandals.
BGB has deployed 430 platoons across the country to ensure security at 2,857 Durga Puja mandaps, including those in border areas and the capital Dhaka, ahead of the Sharadiya Durga Puja 2025.
24 base camps have been established in the bordering districts to help maintain law and order during the festivities. The force is also conducting special patrols and strengthening intelligence surveillance to prevent any untoward incidents, says a BGB press release.
Of the total mandaps under BGB security, 1,411 are located within eight kilometers of the border and in the hill tracts, while 1,446 are outside these areas.
Nandini Chowdhury, a local devotee, expressed excitement about the occasion, saying, “We have been waiting for this moment all year. Durga puja festivals bring everyone together in a spirit of harmony and devotion.”
The festivities will continue through the week, with the main rituals of Mahasaptami, Mahashtami, and the Kumari Puja. The grandest event, Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on October 2, with the immersion of Goddess Durga idols in rivers, ponds and inter-tidal zones of the Bay of Bengal marking the conclusion of the festivities.
Cultural programs, including dance performances, music, and traditional rituals, will be held at various mandaps and temples , enhancing the spiritual atmosphere and creating a sense of unity among participants.
The government has urged people to adhere to safety protocols and remain vigilant in maintaining peace throughout the celebrations.
