Artisans busy decorating idols with colour in Tangail District 

TANGAIL, Sept 25: Artisans  in Tangail are busy decorating the idols with colour and brushes. The biggest festival of the Hindu community, Sharadiya Durga Puja, is knocking at the door. 
In preparation for the festival, the decoration work is ongoing after the completion of idol-making in 1,247 mandaps across 12 upazilas of Tangail District. 
The structures are ready - now the painting work is in progress. With the skilled touch of the artists, the clay idols are becoming exquisitely beautiful. At the same time, extensive preparations are underway day and night in every mandap to make the festival complete.
According to the almanac, the Devi Paksha will begin with Mahalaya on September 21. The main ceremonies will start with the Bodhan of the goddess and Maha Panchami on September 27, and Sasthi Puja on September 28. Maha Saptami will be held on September 29, and Maha Ashtami on September 30. Maha Navami will be on October 1, and the Sharadiya Durgotsab will conclude with the immersion on October 2. According to religious beliefs, this year, Goddess Durga will descend to earth riding on a Gaja (elephant) and return to Kailash on a Dola (palanquin).
Sources from the Tangail District Administrator's office informed that this year, the Sharadiya Durga Puja will be held in a total of 1247 puja mandaps in the district. Among these, 59 in Madhupur Upazila, 35 in Dhanbari, 70 in Ghatail, 163 in Kalihati, 55 in Gopalpur, 37 in Bhuapur, 214 in Tangail Sadar, 129 in Nagarpur, 123 in Delduar, 257 in Mirzapur, 70 in Basail, and 35 puja mandaps in Sakhipur Upazila will host Durga Puja.
According to sources from the District Puja Celebration Front, extensive security measures have been ensured to complete the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, Sharadiya Durgotsab, in the district with solemnity and peace. The army is also deployed in the field to maintain peace, order, and the festive atmosphere. Simultaneously, the law enforcement agencies are vigilant to take action against rumour-mongers during the puja. Preparation meetings have been held by the district administration and the police department with the leaders of the puja celebration committee and representatives of various political parties on the occasion of Durga Puja celebration. The district and respective upazila administrations are holding meetings one after another with the Hindu community and the leaders of the puja celebration committees. Alongside, representatives of various political parties, including BNP, are keeping in close contact with the Hindu community and inquiring about the mandaps.
On-the-spot visits reveal that the idol-making work in the puja mandaps of Sri Sri Kalibari, Thanapara, Sabalia, Restrapara, Collegepara, Paradise Para in the district town is almost complete. Now, the work of enhancing the beauty of the idols with strokes of colour and brush is ongoing. The artisans and artists involved in making and decorating the idols are spending busy times. They have no time to spare. Decorators from various organizations are already busy building gateways and installing illuminations. Talking to the artists and artisans involved in idol-making, it is known that the idol-making work will be completed on time. The mandaps will be prepared before the scheduled time for the worship of Goddess Durga.
The idol-making artisans inform that every year they eagerly wait for the work of making Goddess Durga's idols. The work of making the idols of Goddess Durga is almost complete now. Currently, the work of bringing out their beauty with strokes of colour and brush is ongoing.
They further inform that each artisan is making multiple idols. By selling idols of various sizes, small and large, they earn hundreds of thousands of taka. Whatever the profit or loss, they make the idols with joy, respecting their hereditary profession. They stated that all work of idol-making would be completed within the specified time and handed over to the committees.
Amal Banerjee, President of the District Puja Celebration Front, informed that they are fully prepared to celebrate the puja peacefully. Multiple discussions have been held with the District Administrator and District Police regarding the upcoming Durga Puja. Along with the administration, their own volunteer workers will perform duties at each puja mandap.
He further informed that compared to last year, the number of puja mandaps in Tangail has increased this year. The government has allocated 500 kg of rice for each mandap. Additionally, the Tangail Municipality has allocated five thousand taka each for the 110 mandaps under its jurisdiction. He invited everyone, irrespective of religion or caste, to join this festival.
District Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman informed that special plans have been made regarding the overall security of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. Intelligence activities in the district have been increased surrounding the puja. This year, 950 law enforcement members will be deployed at the puja mandaps in the district. Along with Ansar members, police, RAB, and the army will also perform duties. Additionally, mobile teams and law enforcement members in plain clothes will work.
Tangail District Administrator Sharifa Haque informed that overall preparations have been made to celebrate the Durgotsab in a peaceful environment in Tangail. Preparation meetings have already been held at the district level in the presence of members of the Puja Celebration Front, leaders from various levels of the Hindu religion, and members of the law enforcement agencies.
 Necessary guidelines have been given to solve the problems of puja celebration. The police department is working for security. To avoid unpleasant incidents during the puja, Ansar forces, village police, along with police and other law enforcement agencies, will work at each mandap. He expressed hope that with everyone's spontaneous participation, the Sharadiya Durgotsab will be celebrated in a festive and peaceful environment this year, just like the previous year.