Durga Puja festivities launch across B'desh with Maha Shashthi

The five-day festival formally began with the ritualistic awakening or Bodhon of Goddess Durga on Maha Shashthi. The festivities will culminate on Wednesday (October 21) with the immersion of idols on Vijaya Dashami.

According to the Bengali almanac, Maha Saptami spans two calendar days across Saturday and Sunday (October 17 and 18), kicking off the primary rituals of Durga Puja.

On Maha Saptami, the traditional Nabapatrika ritual will be held, wherein nine plants symbolizing various manifestations of the Goddess are bathed and worshipped. Maha Ashtami will be celebrated on Monday (October 19), featuring the Sandhi Puja, performed at the auspicious juncture between Ashtami and Navami tithis.

The main worship ceremonies will draw to a close on Maha Navami on Tuesday, with the offering of Bhog to the deity. On the final day, devotees will bid farewell to Goddess Durga, taking out colorful processions to immerse the idols in designated rivers, ponds, and water bodies.

Almanac readings indicate that Goddess Durga arrives on Earth from her heavenly abode on a horse this year to bring peace and prosperity, while her departure will be on a boat.

In response to long-standing demands from the Hindu community, the government has extended the Durga Puja holiday to three days through an executive order. Combined with the regular Friday-Saturday weekend, citizens will enjoy a five-day extended break from October 20 to 24.

Puja committees, temples, and mandaps across the country have finalized elaborate preparations, including pandal construction, lighting, idol placement, and cultural arrangements. Mandaps across the capital are fully prepared for the religious proceedings.

Security has been bolstered nationwide to ensure peaceful celebrations. Members of the Bangladesh Police, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) alongside dedicated volunteer teams will be deployed across all mandaps throughout the five-day festival.