SIRAJGANJ, Sept 20: The Sharadiya Durga Puja, the main and largest religious festival of the Hindu community who follow the Sanatan religion, is set to begin on September 28 with Mahashashthi and will conclude on October 2 with the immersion of idols on Maha Bijaya Dashami.
Like other parts of the country, extensive preparations are underway in Sirajganj District for the Sharadiya festival. Along with the renovation of permanent mandaps, the construction of temporary mandaps is also going on.
Ahead of the Durga Puja, cleaning and idol-making work is ongoing in all mandaps. Additionally, as every year, gates are being constructed with various decorations in front of each puja mandap. To ensure a smooth, beautiful, and peaceful Durga Puja, the district administration has already held discussions with relevant parties.
According to district administration sources, preliminary estimates indicate that Durga Puja will be celebrated in 524 mandaps across the district this year. Among these, 88 will be in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, 20 in Kazipur, 85 in Raiganj, 96 in Ullapara, 91 in Shahjadpur, 70 in Belkuchi, 10 in Chauhali, and 18 in Kamarkhand Upazila.
Meanwhile, the idol artisans in the district are busy with the upcoming Durga Puja, the main religious festival of the Hindu community. Alongside men, women from their households are also assisting in making the idols. The artisans have already completed the clay work for the idols and have started painting in many places. The idol makers mentioned that this year, over 200 idols are being made in the Bhadraghat Palpara area. These idols will be supplied to various districts in North Bengal, including Pabna, Bogura, Natore, and Tangail, after meeting the local demand.
Laxminarayan Pal from Bhadraghat Palpara in Kamarkhand Upazila of the district said that this year, he is making 15 idols priced between Tk 25,000 and Tk 125,000. He added that there is not much time left until the puja, and the clay work for most idols has already been completed, with the painting for several idols nearly finished.
Idol artisan Shushanta Pal from Bhadraghat Palpara in Kamarkhand Upazila mentioned that the idols made here are quite renowned. As a result, they will be supplied to many neighbouring districts, including Pabna, Bogura, Natore, and Tangail, besides Sirajganj.
Advocate Sukumar Chandra Das, President of the District Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, stated that discussions have been held with leaders of the organization from all upazilas, the district administration, and law-enforcement officials to ensure the upcoming Durga Puja is smooth and peaceful.
Md Abdul Based, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, mentioned that according to the preliminary list, 524 puja mandaps will be set up in the district, though the final number could be higher or lower. He also noted that the government has allocated 500 kg of rice for each mandap.
District Administrator Muhammad Nazrul Islam stated that this year, Durga Puja will be celebrated in 524 mandaps across the district. Comprehensive arrangements, including discussions with law enforcement and relevant parties, have been made to ensure the Durga Puja is maintained smoothly.
