Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Hindus, has transformed Cox's Bazar beach into a symbol of communal harmony.
Worshippers bade farewell to the Goddess Durga by immersing idols in the bay, in the presence of thousands of eager people on Sunday, from noon until sunset.
The event saw people from different religions, alongside the Sanatan community, participating in a display of unity and peace.
The idol immersion spanned the beach from Shaibal and Kavita Chatwar in the north to Sugandha and Kalatali beach in the south, with a sea of people crowding the entire coastline.
A four-tier security system was in place since the start of Durga Puja. Law enforcement agencies, including the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as plainclothes officers, ensured a peaceful celebration over the five-day period, with no untoward incidents reported.
Uday Shankar Pal, acting president of the Cox's Bazar District Puja Celebration Committee, said: “This year, 321 mandaps were set up across the district’s nine upazilas, featuring 151 idols and 170 Ghat Puja ceremonies. The idols were not only immersed at Cox's Bazar beach but also in rivers such as the Bankkhal in Ramu, the Matamuhuri in Chakaria, and the Naf River in Teknaf, as well as at Inani Beach and the Rejundi River in Ukhiya. It was a delight to see hundreds of thousands of devotees come together for the idol immersion, which took place without any incidents, thanks to the law enforcement agencies.”
More than 200,000 people, including tourists and devotees, gathered at the beach for the immersion ceremony and to enjoy the holiday.
A large stage was set up at Laboni Point for a short discussion. Following the discussion, the idols were immersed in the bay amid chanting in the late afternoon.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Abul Kalam of the Tourist Police, Cox's Bazar region, said: “We set up a control room to ensure the safety of tourists and pilgrims. RAB, BGB, the army, and the Coast Guard worked alongside us. Due to this, no untoward incidents occurred.”
Police Superintendent Md Rahmat Ullah added: “The massive crowd demonstrates that this is the harmonious Bangladesh we cherish. I don't think anywhere else in the country sees such a large gathering for idol immersion. The idols are immersed in love and unity."
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Salahuddin said: “The country’s biggest idol immersion festival took place in Cox’s Bazar, with hundreds of thousands attending. Now, millions of tourists are travelling here. I am grateful that the event concluded peacefully on the beach."
The Durga Puja holidays coinciding with the weekend resulted in a four-day vacation, drawing enormous crowds to Cox's Bazar.
In addition to the beach, tourists are flocking to other popular spots such as Himchari, Inani, Darya Nagar, and Patuartek, filling these locations with activity.
