Durga Puja

Sharad Utshabs, or festivals of autumn (September-October) are here. Among the festivals, Durga Puja is one the biggest religious events of Bengali Hindus and one of the main festivals of autumn. People from all parts of our society usually throng to Puja mandaps (pavilion) in their locality or celebrate the five-day festival at home with family and friends.

On September 19, Shuvo Mahalaya, or welcoming Goddess Durga through rituals, was held. The first day of the Puja began on September 26 with Durga Shashti through the recitation of verses from Chandi (Holy Scripture). Beating of dhak (drums) in every mandap and blowing of shankha (conch shells) will be performed each day until Vijaya Dashami, the last day of the celebrations on September 30.

According to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP), some 30,077 mandaps with altars dedicated to Goddess Durga will be set up around the country this year. Government agencies along with Puja organising committees have taken several measures so that people can enjoy the festivities amidst safety and peace.  

Regarding arrangements for Puja celebrations this year, Shyamal Kumar Roy, general secretary, Mohanagar Sarbajaneen Puja Committee (MSPC), said: “We have already met with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) regarding safety and security issues. The main Puja will be held from September 26 to 30 this year. In Dhaka city, there will be 231 mandaps. On Vijaya Dashami on September 30, the images of Goddess Durga will be taken to Wais Ghat on the Buriganga River for immersion in the water by evening. Mother Durga will come by boat and return on a horse this year. That is auspicious, which means the universe will be filled with prosperity. We hope through the worship of the Holy Mother, all evil forces will be destroyed and the people will enjoy peace and prosperity.”

Shayamal Kumar Palit, president, BPUP, Chittagong district, said: “A total of 1,493 mandaps would be built this year in Chittagong, making it the largest arrangement for Durga Puja in the whole country. The preparations have already been completed. The local administration is helping us. It is not possible to count all the visitors during the festival. But many visitors come to Puja mandaps during Maha Saptami, the second day of the puja, and Navami Puja on the fourth day. On that day, the entire premises become flooded with people. People from all backgrounds enjoy this event and share pleasantries with each other. City people go to the village, while village people go to the city to enjoy the celebrations.  Distribution of food and prasad (offering) are also arranged.”

Bivash Biswas, organising secretary, BPUP, Dinajpur district, said: “The people in the northern part of Bangladesh have been organising Durga Puja for decades. The number of Puja mandaps is increasing in Dinajpur. Our arrangement can be termed as the third largest, Chittagong and Dhaka. I am very happy to say that though we have been largely affected by floods, we are going to arrange Durga Puja with enthusiasm, and of course, it is a sign of blessing of Mother Durga. It is very important that Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and others join us to celebrate this festival. We also organise Durga Mela (fair). In Dinajpur, we immerse the idols in the Kanchan River. It is an amazing scene, with a huge number of people gathering on both sides of the river. Devotees come there in a huge procession with the Durga images. Finally, I am very hopeful that we will be able to hold the Puja properly.”

Tapash Kumar Pal, general secretary, BPUP, said about the puja and number of visitors during the event, “The total number of Puja mandaps across the whole country will be 30,077. Last year, the number was 29, 395. So, some 682 mandaps have been added, which, of course, sounds good. Six of the new mandaps will be in Dhaka city, including at BG Press and Begun Bari in Tejgaon, Baridhara DOHS, Cantonment area and Badhir High School in Paltan. But the number of mandaps has been reduced in the haor (wetland) areas of Sylhet. However, the number has not changed in the northern part of the country, despite floods and distress. The people of the area are hoping that Holy Mother Durga will wipe away their sufferings and revive the area with boundless blessings and prosperity. We offer prasad (food offering) on Maha Ashtami, the third day of Puja, we expect thousands of people to be there. Ram Krishna Mission in Dhaka will perform Kumari Puja (through a little girl) on the same day (September 28). As Vijaya Dashami will coincide with Ashura of Shia Muslims this year, we have already met with them and worked out the timing and routes of idol immersion and Tazia processions.”  

“On behalf of BPUP, we have requested all Puja organisers and participants to follow certain guidelines at the venues. These include separate entrance and exit gates for male and female visitors and no carrying of large bags, ensure security and monitoring with at least 10 volunteers with ID cards, illuminate the entire premises properly and install alternative power supply, avoid fireworks and playing songs and music other than devotional ones, keep in touch with local administration and law enforcement agencies, and complete immersion ceremonies by 10 pm on September 30. Any kind of untoward incidents must be reported to the monitoring cell, the emergency mobile phone number is 01715829679,” Pal added.

On September 25, after an inspection of Dhakeshwari Temple, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner M Asaduzzaman Miah said close circuit cameras would be installed at all Puja mandaps in the capital.

 “All Puja pavilions in Dhaka will be monitored by CCTV cameras. Everyone will be searched before being granted entry. Bags will not be allowed,” the Dhaka police chief said. “Though there are no credible threats at the moment, we have taken security measures.”

Of the 231 Puja pavilions in Dhaka, security priority will be given to mandaps at Dhakeshwari Mandir, Ramkrishna Mission, Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani, he added.

Photos: Nabiulla Nabi

Durga Puja

Sharad Utshabs, or festivals of autumn (September-October) are here. Among the festivals, Durga Puja is one the biggest religious events of Bengali Hindus and one of the main festivals of autumn. People from all parts of our society usually throng to Puja mandaps (pavilion) in their locality or celebrate the five-day festival at home with family and friends. On September 19, Shuvo Mahalaya, or welcoming Goddess Durga through rituals, was held. The first day of the Puja began on September 26 with Durga Shashti through the recitation of verses from Chandi (Holy Scripture). Beating of dhak (drums) in every mandap and blowing of shankha (conch shells) will be performed each day until Vijaya Dashami, the last day of the celebrations on September 30. According to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP), some 30,077 mandaps with altars dedicated to Goddess Durga will be set up around the country this year. Government agencies along with Puja organising committees have taken several measures so that people can enjoy the festivities amidst safety and peace. Regarding arrangements for Puja celebrations this year, Shyamal Kumar Roy, general secretary, Mohanagar Sarbajaneen Puja Committee (MSPC), said: We have already met with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) regarding safety and security issues. The main Puja will be held from September 26 to 30 this year. In Dhaka city, there will be 231 mandaps. On Vijaya Dashami on September 30, the images of Goddess Durga will be taken to Wais Ghat on the Buriganga River for immersion in the water by evening. Mother Durga will come by boat and return on a horse this year. That is auspicious, which means the universe will be filled with prosperity. We hope through the worship of the Holy Mother, all evil forces will be destroyed and the people will enjoy peace and prosperity. Shayamal Kumar Palit, president, BPUP, Chittagong district, said: A total of 1,493 mandaps would be built this year in Chittagong, making it the largest arrangement for Durga Puja in the whole country. The preparations have already been completed. The local administration is helping us. It is not possible to count all the visitors during the festival. But many visitors come to Puja mandaps during Maha Saptami, the second day of the puja, and Navami Puja on the fourth day. On that day, the entire premises become flooded with people. People from all backgrounds enjoy this event and share pleasantries with each other. City people go to the village, while village people go to the city to enjoy the celebrations. Distribution of food and prasad (offering) are also arranged. Bivash Biswas, organising secretary, BPUP, Dinajpur district, said: The people in the northern part of Bangladesh have been organising Durga Puja for decades. The number of Puja mandaps is increasing in Dinajpur. Our arrangement can be termed as the third largest, Chittagong and Dhaka. I am very happy to say that though we have been largely affected by floods, we are going to arrange Durga Puja with enthusiasm, and of course, it is a sign of blessing of Mother Durga. It is very important that Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and others join us to celebrate this festival. We also organise Durga Mela (fair). In Dinajpur, we immerse the idols in the Kanchan River. It is an amazing scene, with a huge number of people gathering on both sides of the river. Devotees come there in a huge procession with the Durga images. Finally, I am very hopeful that we will be able to hold the Puja properly. Tapash Kumar Pal, general secretary, BPUP, said about the puja and number of visitors during the event, The total number of Puja mandaps across the whole country will be 30,077. Last year, the number was 29, 395. So, some 682 mandaps have been added, which, of course, sounds good. Six of the new mandaps will be in Dhaka city, including at BG Press and Begun Bari in Tejgaon, Baridhara DOHS, Cantonment area and Badhir High School in Paltan. But the number of mandaps has been reduced in the haor (wetland) areas of Sylhet. However, the number has not changed in the northern part of the country, despite floods and distress. The people of the area are hoping that Holy Mother Durga will wipe away their sufferings and revive the area with boundless blessings and prosperity. We offer prasad (food offering) on Maha Ashtami, the third day of Puja, we expect thousands of people to be there. Ram Krishna Mission in Dhaka will perform Kumari Puja (through a little girl) on the same day (September 28). As Vijaya Dashami will coincide with Ashura of Shia Muslims this year, we have already met with them and worked out the timing and routes of idol immersion and Tazia processions. On behalf of BPUP, we have requested all Puja organisers and participants to follow certain guidelines at the venues. These include separate entrance and exit gates for male and female visitors and no carrying of large bags, ensure security and monitoring with at least 10 volunteers with ID cards, illuminate the entire premises properly and install alternative power supply, avoid fireworks and playing songs and music other than devotional ones, keep in touch with local administration and law enforcement agencies, and complete immersion ceremonies by 10 pm on September 30. Any kind of untoward incidents must be reported to the monitoring cell, the emergency mobile phone number is 01715829679, Pal added. On September 25, after an inspection of Dhakeshwari Temple, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner M Asaduzzaman Miah said close circuit cameras would be installed at all Puja mandaps in the capital. All Puja pavilions in Dhaka will be monitored by CCTV cameras. Everyone will be searched before being granted entry. Bags will not be allowed, the Dhaka police chief said. Though there are no credible threats at the moment, we have taken security measures. Of the 231 Puja pavilions in Dhaka, security priority will be given to mandaps at Dhakeshwari Mandir, Ramkrishna Mission, Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani, he added. Photos: Nabiulla Nabi