FENI, Sept 22: The largest Durga festival for the Hindu community will be held at 150 puja mandaps in Feni. With the festival approaching, the idol-making work is in its final stage, and decoration and mandap construction are going on.
Although puja was celebrated at 147 mandapsin Feni last year, the number has increased this year. Preparations are underway to celebrate Durga Puja at 150 mandaps this year.
According to sources from the law enforcement agencies, they do not consider any puja mandap risky this year, but overall, they are in a state of alert. Alongside police, RAB, and Ansar, the Bangladesh Army and BGB will also be part of the security arrangements for the Durga festival this year.
The Superintendent of Police stated that the highest level of alert is being maintained considering the country's law and order situation.
This year, Goddess Durga will arrive riding an elephant and depart on a palanquin. On the occasion of celebrating the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad has called upon the government to ensure security at every mandap.
In addition to police, RAB, and Ansar, the army and BGB will assist in providing security for Durga Puja. Decoration and idol-making work are ongoing at the mandaps. In some temples, it can be seen that the idol-making work is almost complete. Many have also demanded an increase in government support for celebrating the festival compared to before.
The administration has instructed to keep CC cameras operational at every temple and deploy sufficient volunteers. Authorities believe that there will be no disorder if patrols by the army and BGB are intensified.
Out of the 150 puja mandaps in Feni, none are considered risky. However, due to political instability, there have been calls to ensure maximum security at every puja mandap by the administration. All necessary measures are being taken to make the festival a success. Temple committees have been cautioned.
The largest and most idols in the Feni town are being made at the Sri Sri Guruchakra Temple. Artisan Sushil Pal has been making idols for the past 40 years. He says, "We make the best idols very beautifully and meticulously. The devotees really like them."
Shifon Choudhury, Organizing Secretary of the Puja Celebration Committee of Guruchakra Temple, said, "Our artisans are working tirelessly to create the idols at this temple, so that it delights the devotees."
Tapan Kumar Kar, President of the Barahipur Public Puja Celebration Committee in the suburbs, said, "We have inquired and found that a festive joy is observed among everyone in the town, villages, and remote areas for celebrating Durga Puja. We hope the puja will be celebrated in a very beautiful and joyful environment this year."
Hiralal Chakraborty, Acting President of the Feni District Puja Celebration Committee, said, "The Sharadiya Durga Utsav is the largest festival for the Hindu community. Everyone must remain vigilant to ensure that no unpleasant incidents occur during this year's puja. We expect that the festival will be celebrated in a very joyful environment."
Shuk Devnath Tapan, President of the Feni District Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Unity Council, said, "Our appeal to people of all religions is to cooperate in ensuring the Sharadiya Durga Utsav is celebrated beautifully and peacefully. I urge all members of the law-enforcement agencies in the district to be alert and proactive in this regard."
Advocate Partha Pal Choudhury, a trustee of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, said, "Ahead of Durga Puja, we have held repeated meetings with the district administration, police administration, political leaders, and leaders of social organizations. We expect that Durga Puja will be held in a peaceful environment this year."
