Durga puja

Today with the immersion of Devi Durga ends the biggest religious festival of the Bengali Hindus. The goddess Durga and the puja stand for a relentless fight against evil instincts – the domination of good impulses over the bad. No person is perfect but by trying to overcome the pettiness, selfish instincts and common malevolence, we can make life more harmonious. The Puja Mandaps all around the country, especially around Dhaka city, are visited by thousands, and a large number are not Hindus, but from other faiths, eager to be part of this extravaganza.

This year we are happy to observe that the celebration was participated by the other communities with great fervour. That the 10-day religious festival was observed without any major incident, merely goes to reaffirm our society's acceptance of all religions in the land. Although credit is due to the authorities for maintaining law and order, the real thanks should go to the people, who have always stood up for harmony amongst the major faiths in Bangladesh and against reactionary elements bent on disrupting that harmony.

We stress that Durga Puja is not only the most significant festival for the Hindu community, it is also an event that brings together members of other faiths and a reflection of Bengali culture that signifies respect for motherhood and women. These are values that have deep roots in our traditions. With ten weapons in her ten hands and the wisdom of the third eye, the goddess transcends the ego-bound ten human senses of perception and action represented by Mahishasura. She represents the universal principle of energy or holy vibration of the cosmos.

This, per se, speaks of our inherent spirit of tolerance which has resolutely stood the test of time. A wider perspective is necessary here because Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world which has a government declared mandatory public holiday for the religious festivals of the four major faiths and, on each occasion, the mood of festivity is for all, not for just a few.

Looking at the global scene, we find that schisms within communities resulting in horrific violence is driving men, women and children out from their homes to horrible deaths and uncertainty. This sends a strong message about the importance to solidify social ties, involving different faiths, for a life together in relative peace. We hope Durga Puja will bring happiness and a sense of rational thinking to all.

 

Durga puja

Today with the immersion of Devi Durga ends the biggest religious festival of the Bengali Hindus. The goddess Durga and the puja stand for a relentless fight against evil instincts the domination of good impulses over the bad. No person is perfect but by trying to overcome the pettiness, selfish instincts and common malevolence, we can make life more harmonious. The Puja Mandaps all around the country, especially around Dhaka city, are visited by thousands, and a large number are not Hindus, but from other faiths, eager to be part of this extravaganza. This year we are happy to observe that the celebration was participated by the other communities with great fervour. That the 10-day religious festival was observed without any major incident, merely goes to reaffirm our societys acceptance of all religions in the land. Although credit is due to the authorities for maintaining law and order, the real thanks should go to the people, who have always stood up for harmony amongst the major faiths in Bangladesh and against reactionary elements bent on disrupting that harmony. We stress that Durga Puja is not only the most significant festival for the Hindu community, it is also an event that brings together members of other faiths and a reflection of Bengali culture that signifies respect for motherhood and women. These are values that have deep roots in our traditions. With ten weapons in her ten hands and the wisdom of the third eye, the goddess transcends the ego-bound ten human senses of perception and action represented by Mahishasura. She represents the universal principle of energy or holy vibration of the cosmos. This, per se, speaks of our inherent spirit of tolerance which has resolutely stood the test of time. A wider perspective is necessary here because Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world which has a government declared mandatory public holiday for the religious festivals of the four major faiths and, on each occasion, the mood of festivity is for all, not for just a few. Looking at the global scene, we find that schisms within communities resulting in horrific violence is driving men, women and children out from their homes to horrible deaths and uncertainty. This sends a strong message about the importance to solidify social ties, involving different faiths, for a life together in relative peace. We hope Durga Puja will bring happiness and a sense of rational thinking to all.