Preparation gears up for Durga Puja

Preparations for Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, have gathered pace across the country, with artisans working on idols, puja committees completing arrangements and authorities stepping up security ahead of the five-day festival.
The festival will culminate in Bijoya Dashami on 21 October, while Shubho Mahalaya will be observed on 10 October.
Depending on the panjika (almanac), Maha Shashthi and the formal rituals may begin on 16 October.
“The people of the Hindu community are waiting for Devi Durga to worship her and preparing to celebrate the grand festival in a joyful manner. The government has increased its allocation and holidays, adding an impressive vibe to the celebration,” Bashudeb Dhar, president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP), told the Daily Sun.
This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 33,851 mandaps across the country, nearly 1,500 more than last year, according to the BPUP. Despite a rise in artisans’ payments, the cost of materials for idol-making, hiring dhakis and decorations, the increase in the number of puja mandaps is a promising sign.
Members of the Hindu community have already started shopping for sarees, panjabis, shirts, three-piece dresses, shoes, jewellery and other accessories for the festival.

“This has always been a happy time to shop for Puja attire for my family members. I have bought a saree for my mother and a panjabi for my father. I shall purchase shirts for my husband and son as well,” Shuborna Banik, a private banker, told this correspondent while shopping at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall on Friday. Renowned fashion houses have brought out their latest Puja collections, with some also offering festival discounts.
Habibur Rahman, a salesperson at Aarong at Jamuna Future Park, said their sales would gain further momentum once shoppers receive their salaries and bonuses.
Shops selling shankhas (conch shells) at historic Shakhari Bazar in Old Dhaka are buzzing with customers ahead of Durga Puja.
The narrow lanes of the neighbourhood are drawing Hindu women looking to buy traditional shankhas, a symbol of married Hindu women, along with other Puja-related items, creating a festive atmosphere. Dhakis and Puja organisers were also seen preparing old dhaks or buying new ones there.
Shopkeepers said demand for Puja-related items has picked up in recent days as devotees make their final preparations for the festival. The increase in the number of puja mandaps has prompted authorities to strengthen coordination among law-enforcement agencies, local administrations and Puja committees.
Law-enforcement agencies have been ordered to remain on heightened alert throughout the celebrations and respond immediately to any emerging threat.

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Five-day holiday likely for Durga Puja

Volunteers will receive identification cards to facilitate coordination with law-enforcement personnel.
Authorities have also been instructed to ensure adequate lighting and uninterrupted electricity, while Puja committees have been asked to arrange emergency power supplies.
The government has increased the special allocation for Durga Puja mandaps to Tk5 crore from the Tk4 crore proposed by the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust. It has also extended the holiday arrangement around the festival. Current government announcements include holidays on 20 October for Maha Nabami, 21 October for Bijoya Dashami and 22 October, followed by the regular Friday-Saturday weekend.
According to the panjika followed by many devotees, Devi Durga will arrive on a horse and return to Kailash by boat.

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