Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, began today (October 1) with Maha Shasthi puja at temples across the country amid festivity and religious fervour.

The five-day annual celebration started with unveiling of the face of the deity and Kalparambho on Maha Shasthi and it will end on October 5 with the immersion of the idols on the day of Bijaya Dashami.

The incarnation (Bodhon) of the Goddess Durga happened yesterday evening ahead of the puja on the day of Maha Panchami.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave separate messages on the occasion of the Durga Puja extending greetings to Hindu community members.

On the second day on October 2, Maha Saptami puja will be performed at 6.30am while Maha Ashtami puja will be held on the third day on October 3 at 9.30am and Kumari Puja at 11am, Sandhi Puja at 4.44pm and it will be done before 5.32 pm.

Maha Nabami Puja will be held on the fourth day on October 4 at 6.30am and offering of pushpanjali or anjali at 10.30am.

On the final day of Bijaya Dashami, puja will begin at 6.30am, pushpanjali at 8am and puja completion and Darpan Bisharjan will be held by 8.50am. 

The five-day festival will end with immersion of idols of goddess Durga and her offspring - Ganesha, Karitik, Laxmi and Saraswati - and devotees will receive Shantijol (sacred water from where deities are immersed).

Durga Puja will be celebrated at 32,168 mandaps across the country this year including 241 in the capital, according to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad.

BDST: 1500 HRS, OCT 01, 2022
MN/SMS