The grand festival of Durga Puja, the biggest celebration for the Hindu community, is approaching, with preparations in full swing at 230 temples across Kushtia.
Artisans are working day and night to give life to the beautiful form of Goddess Durga, crafting idols with straw, wood, thread, and clay. With the festival drawing near, their workload has increased, with many idols already completed and awaiting the final touches of paint.
Local artisans have said that although the demand and cost of materials have risen, the price of the idols has remained unchanged.
In 2024, a total of 230 temples across Kushtia will celebrate Durga Puja. Among them, 72 temples are in Kushtia Sadar Upazila, 55 in Kumarkhali Upazila, 62 in Khoksa Upazila, 26 in Mirpur Upazila, 8 in Bheramara Upazila, and 7 in Daulatpur Upazila.
A visit to Gopinath Jiu Temple, Sadarpu Puja Temple, and various temples in the suburbs of Kushtia revealed that idol-making is nearly complete, with only the painting process remaining.
Advocate Jaydeb Biswas, General Secretary of Kushtia District Puja Celebration Committee, said: "Durga Puja will be celebrated in all 230 temples across the district following the government's guidelines. The festival will begin on October 8 with Bodhon Puja, followed by Maha Shashthi on October 9, Maha Saptami on October 10, Maha Ashtami on October 11, and Maha Navami on October 12. The festival will conclude with the immersion of the idols on October 13."
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kushtia, Mizanur Rahman, said that temple committees have been urged to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood while following all government directives for a peaceful celebration.
The district Puja Celebration Committee has been requested to ensure comprehensive security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, appointing volunteers and guards, providing adequate lighting, and scheduling rotating duty shifts at the temples, he added.
He further assured that tight security will be enforced at every temple, with deployments of RAB, police, and Ansar forces. In case of any issues, locals have been advised to promptly contact the relevant union beat officer, the officer-in-charge of the police station, or the superintendent of Police.
