Durga Puja festival enters Maha Nabami

In KhulnaThe festival was being marked by puja, arati, recitation from scriptures, distribution of proshad, offering of devotional songs and bhajans, reported our correspondent. A huge number of devotees were visiting different puja mandaps to have a look at goddess Durga with great excitement. Besides, huge crowds were seen at every puja mandap throughout the day, especially in the afternoon. At least 5,000 puja mandaps have been set up in ten districts of the division, said Shamaol Halder, former vice president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad Central Committee, now in-charge of Khulna city Puja Udjapon Parishad. Of them, 489 mandaps have been set up in Khulna city, 563 in Satkhira, 560 in Bagerhat, 628 in Jessore, 444 in Jhenidah, 604 in Magura, 593 in Narail, 217 in Kushtia, 102 in Chuadanga and 35 in Meherpur district. Khulna district administration and Puja Udjapon Parishad Committee (PUPC) sources said 489 Puja mandaps were set up this year in the city, while 804 in the district. Acting Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), said three-tier security measures had been adopted in the city areas. He also said teams of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), city especial branch of police and detective branch have already been deployed at all important points of the city.In RajshahiThe festival was marked by puja, arati, recitation from scriptures, distribution of proshad, offering of devotional songs and bhajans. A huge number of devotees are seen visiting different puja mandaps to have a look at goddess Durga. Anil Kumar Sarker, trustee of Hindu Development Trust, told BSS that of the 429 mandaps including 76 in the metropolis have been erected here, reports BSS. District administration has distributed more than 250 tons of rice to celebrate Durga puja this year. Meanwhile, foolproof security measures were taken in the city and its adjacent areas to avert any untoward incident during the big religious festival of the Hindus. Shafiqul Islam, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, says four-tier security measures have been adopted in the city areas. Teams of police, Rapid Action Battalion teams, city especial branch of police and detective branch have already been deployed in all important points of the city.In GaibandhaThe whole district took a festive look as the Hindu devotees including men, women, boys, girls, youths and adolescents attired in fine dresses and thronging different puja mandaps with festive moods to have a look at goddess Durga. Besides, hundreds of Muslims and people of other religious faiths are also visiting the mandaps decorated colorfully and exchanging greetings with their Hindu friends and neighbours on Durga Puja. General Secretary of Puja Udjapon Parishad, district unit, Principal Paresh Chandra Saha said a total of 561 puja mandaps have been erected in all the seven upazilas in the district this year. Of the total, some 84 mandaps were erected in Sadar upazila, 128 in Sundarganj upazila, 59 in Shaghata upazila, 64 in Palashbari upazila, 96 in Sadullapur upazila, 118 in Gobindaganj upazila and 12 in Phulchhari upazila. Earlier, the ‘Bothan’ or the Shasti Puja, Maha Saptami and Maha Astami including Kumari Puja were also held at the puja mandaps in last 3 days, sources said.In JoypurhatOur correspondent said the whole district had taken a festive look as the Hindu devotees including men, women, boys, girls, youths and adolescents attired in fine dresses and thronging different puja mandaps with festive moods to have a look at goddess Durga. President of District Puja Udjapon Parishad, Agriculturalist Reboti Mohan said a total of 263 puja mandaps were erected in the district this year. District relief and rehabilitation office sources said the district administration distributed 131.50 tonnes of rice for the puja mandaps to assist the Hindu Community to celebrate the festival smoothly.In RangpurAccording to reports of BSS, tens of hundreds of the devotees of all ages including men, women, boys, adolescents, girls and youths have been thronging Puja mandaps on the Mahanabomi  to have a glimpse at Goddess Durga and seeking blessings for their well-being. The Puja mandap premises and adjoining areas have become overcrowded and worn eye-catching looks with traditional fairs arranged where handicrafts items, toys, household goods, sweets and other things are being sold. According to police and Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad (BPUP) sources, the celebration will end through immersion of the idols erected in 5,120 Durga Puja mandaps in eight districts of the division after celebration of the Mohadashami tomorrow. Local administrations, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), PDB, REB, district and upazila units of BPUP have taken adequate steps for peaceful celebration of the festivity and uninterrupted power supply everywhere. Besides, 28,236 trained male and female members of Ansar-VDP have been deployed at all 5,120 mandaps for ensuring peaceful celebrations of the Durga Puja festivity in all eight districts under Rangpur division. According to official sources, a record number of 5,120 Durga Puja mandaps has been erected in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur districts in the division this year.In FaridpurThe five day long Durga puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, has entered fourth day with enchanting festivity everywhere across the district, reported our correspondent. According to official sources,726 puja mondops have been set up in the district this year to celebrate the Puja. One hundred and fifty eight puja mondops were erected in Sadar upazilla 137 in Madhukhali , 130 in Boalmari, 47 in Alfadanga, 19 in Charbhadrasan,37 in Sadarpur,85 in Bhanga, 66 in Nagarkanda and 47 in Saltha upazilla, the sources said. The celebration has entered the ‘Maha Nabami’ today when the devotees will recite from the holy books of Sanatan sects followed by ‘Arati’ in the evening. LGRD & Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain on Sunday and Monday visited at least 50 puja mondops where he was heartily welcomed by hundreds of the devotees. The day was also celebrated in many other districts including Madaripur, Barisal, Shariatpur, Narayanganj, Thakurgaon and Kurigram.