C T Online Desk: The grandest religious festival for Hindu community, Durga Puja, has commenced with Shashti, ushering in a wave of celebration in Dhaka.People from all walks of life are seen participating in the vibrant celebration.
While the crowds were relatively modest on Shashti, the Saptami on Saturday saw a significant surge in visitors to puja mandaps.
Every year, the festive ambience during the evening is more beautiful, lively, and celebratory than during the daytime. From 7pm to midnight on Saturday, this correspondent visited several mandaps in Old Dhaka to experience the vibrant scene.
Besides followers of the Hindu religion, others are also taking part in the Durga Puja festivities by visiting these puja mandaps.
Malti Sarkar, a homemaker, came with her family to witness the puja in Shankharibazar. Her husband, Soumya Sarkar, who is occupied with business during the day, has eagerly joined the family to partake in the evening rituals.
In front of the Pratidhi puja pandal, said: “I performed the morning puja rituals at home, and will perform the rest of the rituals at Puja Mandap in the evening. On Saptami night, there is a special puja for the well-being of the family members. Some people participate, and some don’t.”
A five-year-old child, Anima, is thrilled to see the puja at night with her mother.
Anima’s mother, Kakli, reminisces about her own childhood, saying: “I have always been used to strolling around at night since I was a kid. Children love all the lights and decorations at night, especially how the goddesses’ ornaments and sarees shine under the pandal’s lighting. It’s quite fascinating. That’s why the nighttime puja is so enchanting to watch, and that’s why the pandals are more crowded in the evening.”
