Devotees bring festive spirit to Durga Puja mandaps

The sound of dhak, the fragrance of incense and devotees dressed in traditional attire brought a festive atmosphere to temples and Durga Puja mandaps across Dhaka on Saturday as the Hindu community celebrated Maha Saptami, the second day of the main worship rituals of this year’s six-day Sharadiya Durgotsab.

From the historic Dhakeshwari National Temple to the narrow lanes of Shankhari Bazar and community mandaps in Banani, Wari, Siddheshwari and Bashundhara, puja venues across the capital welcomed worshippers and visitors for the largest religious festival of the Bengali Hindu community.

Durga Puja is traditionally celebrated over five days, from Maha Shashthi to Bijoya Dashami. This year, however, the festival extends to six days because the tithi of Maha Saptami falls on two days. Devotees observed Maha Saptami on Saturday, while the extended observance continues today.

The main rituals on Saturday began with the ceremonial bathing and worship of Nabapatrika, a cluster of nine plants representing different forms of the goddess. The rituals began at 7:39am and concluded at 9:57am.Devotees then offered prayers and pushpanjali, while prasad was distributed among worshippers.

The Dhakeshwari National Temple in Old Dhaka, the country’s principal Hindu temple, remained one of the capital’s major centres of celebration. Beyond the annual rituals, the temple served as an important gathering place for the Hindu community.

The Ramakrishna Mission was another major attraction for visitors, although no pushpanjali ceremony was held there on Saturday. Kumari Puja, one of the institution’s signature events, is scheduled for Monday.

In Old Dhaka, historic Shankhari Bazar took on a distinctive festive appearance. Its narrow lanes, closely packed old buildings, traditional shops and small temples provided an intimate backdrop for the celebrations.

Nearby Tanti Bazar was also among the traditional centres of Durga Puja. Community mandaps across Old Dhaka drew worshippers and visitors to see decorated idols, religious rituals and local traditions.

Ramna Kali Mandir and the adjacent Jagannath Hall at Dhaka University were also crowded with puja visitors.

At Bashundhara Sarbojanin Puja Mandap and Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Mandap, elaborate decorations and cultural activities attracted families, young people and other visitors.

Siddheshwari Kali Mandir remained another prominent venue for Hindu religious observances. Rajarbagh Kalibari and mandaps in Banani, Kalabagan, Azimpur and Farmgate also added to the citywide celebrations, bringing neighbourhood communities together.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad issued 26-point guidelines for district and upazila puja organisers. The guidelines urged organisers to avoid plastic, unnecessary lighting, loud sound systems, microphones, DJs and fireworks. They also called for alternative power arrangements, separate entry and exit queues for men and women, and the installation of CCTV cameras and adequate lighting for safety.

President greets Hindu community at Dhakeshwari Temple

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday greeted the Hindu community during a visit to Dhakeshwari National Temple on the occasion of Durga Puja.

“There is a maxim which says, ‘religion belongs to individuals while the festival belongs to all’,” he said while interacting with members of the Hindu community, according to a press release from the President’s Press Wing.

Expanding on the maxim, he said, “Religion belongs to individuals, the state belongs to all.”

He said the equal rights of people across religious communities stemmed from the state and the Constitution, stressing the need to protect those rights.

“We must always state firmly that we will protect the rights which the Constitution provided us,” he said.

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Hindu community leaders warmly received the president on his arrival and escorted him to the puja mandap. He also watched a cultural programme staged on the occasion.

Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh was an example of interfaith harmony, with people of different religions living together in the region for centuries. He said this harmony was reflected in the country’s literature, culture and arts.

“Unfortunately, efforts are made to undermine this harmony in various ways at home and abroad through widespread propaganda,” he said.

The president called for greater social vigilance against attempts to undermine communal harmony for narrow or vested interests.

He said people had lived together in harmony even before independence and fought side by side during the 1971 Liberation War to build a non-communal Bangladesh.

“We remain committed to that and we are prepared to pay any price to protect the harmony,” he said.

Mirza Fakhrul expressed hope that Durga Puja would be completed peacefully and safely, and assured members of the Sanatan faith of appropriate cooperation in addressing their demands.

“I wish you all a happy Sharadiya Durga Puja,” he said.