RAJSHAHI, Oct 17, 2018 (BSS) – The third consecutive day of the Sharadiya DurgaPuga, the biggest religious festival of the Bangali Hindu community, continued today in the city as elsewhere in the district amid festivity, joy and traditional enthusiasm.
A large number of Hindu devotees were seen thronging different puja mandaps to offer puja in the morning today.
The devotees celebrated their traditional Kumari puja today in all puja mondaps. Anil Kumar Sarker, trustee of Hindu Development Trust, told BSS that of the 463 mandaps, 80 have been erected in Rajshahi city area and 380 in nine upazilas of the district.
A good number of Hindus from all walks of life visited the Nakkatir Mondir, the most attractive puja mandaps of the city. The devotees participated in the cultural function on the mondir premises and also took part in a discussion meeting.
As part of the celebration, puja mandaps have been decorated with lights, artificial flowers, festoons, banners and paintings, with colourful arches at the entrance welcoming devotees and guests.
The puja mandap in Ranibazar area of Rajshahi city is no exception. As an added feature, the mandap has been designed to depict Bangabandhu-1, the country’s first ever communications satellite.
Its unique design has attracted thousands of devotees and guests. Tiger Shangha, a local club, came up with the design. The mandap is based on the SpaceX site, from where the satellite was launched into orbit, said Partho Paul Chowdhury, its general secretary.
“Along with celebrating Durga Puja, we wanted to celebrate our country’s success also,” he said. The inside has been designed as the control panel of the satellite, he added.
This is not the first time the club has come up with a creative theme for the mandaps. Last year, it was based on a popular Indian film and the year before that the national cricket team. Religious chorus and aratrika were being performed peacefully by the devotees at every puja mandap, the Hindu community leaders said.
Rajshahi metropolitan and district police and Puja committee source said the celebration is going on peacefully everywhere in the district. Police officials said a five to 10 members team of law enforcers comprising of the police and Ansar have been deployed at every puja mandap of the district.
RAB personnel and two platoons of APBN were also posted to keep close watch on the situation. Both district and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) have already opened separate control rooms at their respective headquarters to monitor the situation.
“A foolproof security measures have been taken so that Durga puja can be celebrated with the true spirit of the festivity and religious fervor,” RMP officials said.
Anil Kumar Sarker said they are satisfied with the arrangements and support from the administration for a peaceful celebration of the biggest religious festival.