Bangladesh’s Hindu community is celebrating Maha Saptami on Saturday (October 17), the second day of the six-day Sharodiyo Durgotsab, with prayers and religious rituals at temples and puja mandaps across the country.
Maha Saptami is being observed over two days this year because of the lunar calendar, with celebrations continuing on Sunday.
The day began with Nabapatrika, a traditional ritual involving the ceremonial bathing and worship of nine plants associated with Goddess Durga. Devotees are also offering anjali, or floral prayers, following Saptami Puja.
The festival formally began on Friday with Maha Shashthi, marked by Bodhan, the ceremonial invocation and awakening of Goddess Durga.
Since morning, devotees have been gathering at temples and temporary puja mandaps across the country, with Dhakeshwari National Temple serving as a major centre of celebrations in the capital.
Religious rituals were held at the temple as devotees joined prayers and other ceremonies marking the festival, which will conclude on October 21.
Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee General Secretary Suvasish Kumar Biswas Sadhan said the celebrations began with Maha Shashthi Puja, followed by anjali and the distribution of prasad among devotees.
Clothes were also distributed among underprivileged people to mark the occasion.
According to traditional beliefs cited by puja organisers, Goddess Durga arrives on a horse this year and will depart by boat, the latter symbolising agricultural prosperity.
A total of 33,851 puja mandaps have been set up across Bangladesh this year, including 258 in Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. The nationwide figure is approximately 1,500 higher than last year’s.
The Gulshan-Banani Puja Foundation has organised a major celebration at Kemal Ataturk Park in Banani, featuring this year’s theme, Jalaja, which draws inspiration from water as a source of life, creation and divine power.
The mandap features an aquatic-inspired design combining traditional crafts, lighting and decorative elements.
Visitors are moving between puja venues to enjoy religious artwork, illuminated displays and creative cultural themes.
Temporary mandaps at Kalabagan ground and Khamarbari are also attracting visitors with elaborate decorations and lighting arrangements.
Maha Ashtami will be observed on Monday (October 19), with Kumari Puja scheduled at several mandaps. The ritual involves worshipping a young girl as a living representation of the divine feminine and Goddess Durga.
Sandhi Puja will also be performed on Monday morning, marking the transition between Ashtami and Navami.
According to Hindu mythology, the ritual commemorates Goddess Durga taking the form of Chamunda to defeat the demons Chanda and Munda.
Maha Navami will be observed on Tuesday (October 20), when devotees will gather at puja mandaps to offer prayers and participate in the concluding worship rituals, including the offering of bhog.
The festival will conclude on Wednesday (October 21) with Bijoya Dashami, when devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga through processions and the ceremonial immersion of idols in rivers and other designated water bodies.
This year, the government has extended the official Durga Puja holiday to three days in response to longstanding demands from the Hindu community.
Combined with the regular Friday and Saturday weekend holidays, the decision will provide a five-day break from October 20 to 24.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudeb Dhar thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for extending the holiday.
Durga Puja holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Hindu community, commemorating Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura and symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
According to Hindu mythology, the gods combined their divine powers to create Goddess Durga, who ultimately defeated Mahishasura.
Beyond its religious significance, the festival forms an important part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, bringing together devotees and visitors from different communities.
The government has increased its financial allocation for Durga Puja to Tk 5 crore from Tk 4 crore, while the rice allocation has been raised from 500 kilogrammes to 600 kilogrammes per mandap.
Security arrangements have been strengthened across the country to ensure peaceful celebrations.
Authorities will use a mobile application developed by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) to improve coordination and facilitate the rapid reporting of security incidents.
The Home Ministry has also instructed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to puja venues.
Organisers have been asked to keep generators ready and maintain rechargeable lighting as backup in the event of power disruptions.
