Preparations for Durga Puja are nearing completion at temples, puja mandaps and community venues across the country as the five-day celebrations formally begining on Friday, with Maha Shashthi. Major religious venues in the capital, including Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramna Kali Mandir and Dhaka University’s Jagannath Hall Upashanalaya, are preparing to welcome devotees and visitors. Puja committees across Dhaka and other parts of the country are putting the finishing touches on idols, pandals, colourful lighting and arrangements for religious and cultural programmes.
This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 33,851 mandaps nationwide, an increase from 32,351 last year.
The festival will begin with Maha Shashthi, when devotees perform Bodhan, the ceremonial awakening and invocation of Goddess Durga. Maha Saptami rituals will be observed on Saturday and Sunday, followed by Maha Ashtami on Monday and Maha Navami on Tuesday. The celebrations will conclude with Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, October 21, when idols will be taken in processions for immersion.
The government has extended the Durga Puja holiday to three days through an executive order, providing a five-day break from October 20 to 24 when combined with the regular Friday and Saturday weekend. The Authorities have stepped up security arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations, with law enforcement agencies strengthening deployments and expanding surveillance at major venues. Officials have also announced measures to facilitate the safe movement of devotees and visitors.
Durga Puja commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Beyond its religious significance, the festival reflects Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and tradition of communal harmony.
