Artisans are hard at work crafting idols of Goddess Durga as the Hindu community in Rangpur prepares for the five-day-long Durga Puja, the most significant religious festival for the Sanatan community, set to take place from October 9 to October 13.
Local leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) have announced that the celebrations will culminate with the 'Bijoya Dashami' rally and the immersion of the idols in water bodies on October 13.
The district administration and police have confirmed that extensive measures are in place to ensure peaceful celebrations across all 835 mandaps in the metropolis and the eight upazilas in the district.
A significant number of police personnel, including members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar-VDP, will be deployed, alongside patrolling army teams and closed-circuit cameras installed at each mandap.
In total, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 152 mandaps in Rangpur metropolis, 68 in Sadar upazila, 95 in Gangachara, 47 in Taraganj, 123 in Badarganj, 106 in Mithapukur, 105 in Pirganj, 73 in Pirgachha, and 66 mandaps in Kawnia upazilas.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sharif Uddin met with local BPUP leaders recently, emphasizing the police's commitment to maintaining law and order during the festivities. "The use of closed-circuit cameras will be ensured in every Puja mandap," he stated, urging both the police and Puja celebration committees to remain vigilant to guarantee a peaceful celebration.
The district administration, Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP), and Puja Mandap authorities have implemented comprehensive security measures to support a safe celebration.
Meanwhile, artisans are working tirelessly to finalize the intricately designed idols of Goddess Durga, applying artistic creativity and vibrant colors to enhance their beauty.
Artisan Sukumar Paul said: "I am in my busiest time, completing the erection and adornment of idols with artistic imagination and colors."
Artisans Shudhir Paul and Akhiles Paul also reported their efforts to finalize the coloring of the Durga idols.
BPUP's Rangpur district unit President Ram Jiban Kundu and city unit General Secretary Advocate Prashant Kumar Roy expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements in place for the upcoming Durga Puja festival.