Final preparations are under way across Cox’s Bazar district to celebrate the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival across 324 mandaps, with security measures heightened to ensure a peaceful environment.
Of the total mandaps in the district, idol worship (pratima puja) will take place at 154 locations, while pot worship (ghot puja) will be conducted at 170 locations, marking an increase of six mandaps compared to last year.
According to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Cox’s Bazar District branch, the five-day festival will formally begin on Friday with Maha Shashthi and conclude on 20 October with Bijoya Dashami.
On Bijoya Dashami, a massive gathering of harmony will take place at Laboni Point on Cox’s Bazar sea beach during the idol immersion ceremony, considered the largest immersion event in South Asia. The administration and law enforcement agencies have put special security preparations in place to protect both the puja mandaps and visiting tourists during the festivities.
According to the district Puja Udjapan Parishad, Chakaria Upazila hosts the highest number of mandaps at 71, comprising 41 pratima pujas and 30 ghot pujas. Kutubdia Upazila features 44 mandaps (14 pratima and 30 ghot), Ramu Upazila has 37 (23 pratima and 14 ghot), and Teknaf Upazila contains six mandaps (five pratima and one ghot).
Additionally, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila accounts for 31 mandaps, Eidgaon has 29, Moheshkhali Upazila has 28, Cox’s Bazar Municipality has 28, Chakaria Municipality has 25, Pekua Upazila has nine, Moheshkhali Municipality has six, and Ukhiya Upazila hosts nine mandaps-all nine of which feature pratima pujas, including one inside a Rohingya refugee camp.
In total, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, Cox’s Bazar Municipality, and Eidgaon account for 88 mandaps, consisting of 46 pratima pujas and 42 ghot pujas.
Security has been reinforced across all venues. Md Ahidur Rahman, Focal Point of Cox’s Bazar District Police and Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), said that plainclothes personnel from various law enforcement branches will be deployed alongside district police, traffic police, and tourist police to ensure safety. Members of intelligence and specialised agencies will also be stationed on duty.
Community leaders expressed optimism for a peaceful and inclusive celebration. District Puja Udjapan Parishad Acting President Uday Shankar Pal Mithu called for cooperation from all communities to maintain discipline and secure a safe environment.
Swapan Das, acting general secretary of the district branch, confirmed that the organisation is coordinating closely with the administration across all 324 mandaps. Sadar Upazila branch President Advocate Bappi Sharma noted that local committees are working actively to maintain a festive atmosphere alongside proper religious rituals.
Furthermore, District Puja Udjapan Parishad Finance Secretary Swapan Guha expressed gratitude to the government for increasing financial grants per mandap and extending the official holiday.
With government holidays set from 20 to 22 October, combined with the weekly weekend on 23 and 24 October, professionals are receiving a continuous five-day break.
