Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 24, 2025 (BSS) - With only three days left until Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Hindu community, preparations are in full swing across the country. 

The vibrant festive atmosphere is sweeping through the country, with Dhaka at the heart of the celebrations.

Durga Puja will begin on September 28 with Mahasashthi and continue for five days, concluding on October 2 with the immersion of the idol. 

As the festival approaches, people are busily shopping for new clothes, while idol artists apply the final touches to the statues and volunteers work on decorating puja pandals, arranging lighting and handling other essential preparations.

In Dhaka, renowned temples like Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Ramna Kali Temple, Azimpur Government Colony Puja Mandap, Jayakali Temple and Sri Sri Shanidev Temple in Shankhari Bazar are all abuzz with decoration and lighting work. 

These iconic locations are aiming to complete their final preparations within the next couple of days.

At the Dhakeshwari National Temple, workers are putting the finishing touches on the puja pandals while idol artist Ratan Pal mentioned that the painting of the idols is nearly complete, with just the final details remaining.

Meanwhile, at the Shanidev Temple in Shankhari Bazar, decoration head Sabuj Mia shared that the preparation has been ongoing for several days. 

"We are just about a day or two away from completing the decoration work. The final steps will be taken once the idols are in place," he said.

Subrata Decoration, a prominent decoration firm in Old Dhaka, is responsible for creating the mandap at the Sridhar Chakra Jiu Vigraha Temple. 

Owner Sudipta Sen said, "In the past, we used minimal materials-two or three mandaps made with a single cloth, along with a basic microphone. Today, every mandap is unique, and there's a demand for modern designs."
 
"Sound systems and diverse decorations are now essential," Sen said, highlighting the changes in puja d‚cor over his 35 years in the business.

This year's Durga Puja will feature a special tradition, with Goddess Durga arriving on an elephant (gaj) and departing on a palanquin (dola).
 
The arrival on a 'gaj' is considered auspicious, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest, while the departure on a 'dola' is seen as an inauspicious sign, associated with epidemics or plague.

Basudev Dhar, President of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, told BSS that the number of puja mandaps across the country has risen this year. 

Durga Puja will be celebrated in a total of 33,355 mandaps and temples nationwide, with 258 of those located within Dhaka city.

The interim government has allocated Tk 5 crore for Durga Puja this year, said Devendra Nath Urao, Secretary of the Hindu Welfare Trust.

To ensure the safety and security of all participants, police, Ansar, BGB, RAB and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed at puja pandals nationwide. 

Volunteer forces will also assist the law enforcer agencies at each location. 

A central control room will be established at Dhakeshwari Temple, coordinated by the Metropolitan Public Puja Committee, to monitor and manage security arrangements during the festival.

In addition, the Cabinet Division has directed the Home Ministry, Education Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry and other relevant authorities to closely monitor the law and order situation during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, ensuring a safe and joyous festival for all.