Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Oct 1, 2025 (BSS) – Devotees celebrated Maha Nabami, the third day of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, throughout the day in Rajshahi and its city areas.

The festival was marked by puja, arati, recitation from scriptures, distribution of proshad, and offering of devotional songs and bhajans, reported our correspondent.

A huge number of devotees visited different puja mandaps to see goddess Durga with great excitement. Besides, large crowds were seen at every puja mandap throughout the day, especially in the afternoon.

A total of 3,449 puja mandaps have been set up across eight districts under Rajshahi division, excluding 103 mandaps in Rajshahi city, where celebrations are in full swing under tight security arrangements.

Administrative and senior police officials, along with front-ranking leaders of the BNP, visited many mandaps today and exchanged pleasantries with devotees.

The celebration will end with 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 incidents during the festival.

Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Muhammad Abu Sufian said three-tier security measures had been adopted in the city areas. He also said teams of police, BGB, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), city special branch, and detective branch have already been deployed at all important points of the city.

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 idols as separate arrangements have been made at I-bandh, Monnujan, and Police Line.

Dr Muhammad Shahjahan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, said 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."

Shyamal Kumar Ghosh, Rajshahi city unit general secretary of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, told BSS that Durga Puja is being celebrated in a festive mood.

Decorations of temples, lighting, and the setting up of mandaps have already given the city a festive look, he added.