News Flash
RAJSHAHI, Sept 30, 2025 (BSS) - People of the Hindu community on Tuesday celebrated Maha Ashtami of the five-day Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the community, amid great enthusiasm and fanfare.
The religious festival was marked by kumari puja, arati, recitation from scriptures, distribution of prashad, offering devotional songs and bhajans.
A large number of devotees were seen visiting different puja mandaps to have a look at the decorated Goddess Durga throughout the day.
Shyamal Kumar Ghosh, Rajshahi city unit general secretary of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, told BSS that the Durga Puja is being celebrated in a festive mood.
Decorations of temples, lighting and setting up of mandaps have already turned the city into a festive look, he added.
Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Muhammad Abu Sufian today inspected security measures taken by them in Rajshahi puja mandaps.
Talking to the journalists, he said: "We have implemented strict security measures to ensure that Durga Puja in Rajshahi city proceeds peacefully and successfully."
Police stations have been directed to maintain round-the-clock communication with local puja committees. Law enforcement personnel have already been deployed at key points across the city to monitor the situation.
Additionally, puja organizers have been advised to install CCTV cameras at major mandaps and to arrange separate entry and exit routes for male and female devotees to manage the crowd efficiently.
Commissioner Abu Sufian also said there will be no problems during the immersion of puja idols as separate arrangements were made at the points of I-bandh, Monnujan and police line.
In Rajshahi division alone, 3,449 puja mandaps have been set up across its eight districts, excluding 103 mandaps in Rajshahi city, where celebrations are in full swing under tight security arrangements.
Administrative, high police officials and front-ranking leaders of the BNP visited many mandaps today and exchanged pleasantries with the devotees.
The celebration will end through the immersion of idols of goddess Durga in various water bodies on Bijoya Dashami on Thursday.
Meanwhile, foolproof security measures have been taken in and around the city to avert any untoward incident during the festival.
Dr Muhammad Shahjahan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, informed that a four-tier security system has been put in place throughout the division.
He warned, "There will be zero tolerance for any activity that disrupts communal harmony. Strict legal action will be taken against those attempting to instigate unrest."
