ZCZC
BSS-41
DURGA-PUJA-ASHTAMI
Maha Ashtami celebrated, Maha Nabami tomorrow
DHAKA, Oct 24, 2020 (BSS) – Maha Ashtami, known as Kumari Puja, the
third day of the five-day Durga Puja of the Hindu community, was
celebrated today with much enthusiasm and religious fervor at temples
across the country following health guidelines amid the corona
pandemic.
As per the directives of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP),
most of the devotees offered Anjali (worship) today virtually from
their houses through Television and Facebook live while some devotees
offered it at tramples maintaining health guidelines.
A mood of festivity was being witnessed among the devotees
irrespective of ages marking the festival following strict health
guidelines.
Besides, adequate security measures have been taken in the puja
pandaps across the country.
The goddess Durga is worshipped in various forms during the
five-day Sharodiya Durgotsab and one of those was worshiping Kumari as
an epitome of virginity. But this year Kumari puja was not held at the
city’s Ramkrishna Mission temple to avoid mass gathering of devotees
due to Covid-19- pandemic.
Recitation of verses from the holy Chandi, blowing of conch shells
and beating of ‘dhak-dhols’ at temples and pandals are being continued
from Maha Shashti which will continue till immersion of idols of
goddess Durga on 26 October.
Maha Nabami Puja will be celebrated tomorrow across the country
while Bijoya Dashami on Monday.
Maha Navami is believed to be the day when Durga defeated the evil
Mahishasura and the Navami rituals begin with a mahasnan and a
shodashopachar puja.
Other rituals on the day of navami include Durga balidan which is
performed at Apaharana kaal on the day of Navami and Navami Homa which
usually marks the end of the Navami puja.
The five-day festival began on Thursday with the incarnation
(Bodhon) of the Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Shashti.
The biggest religious festival of Hindus will come to an end with
the immersion of the idols of the goddess Durga in the nearby rivers
and water bodies across the country on the day of Bijoya Dashami on 26
October.
According to the BPUP, Durga Puja is being celebrated at 30,223
permanent and temporary puja mandaps across the country this year.
In Dhaka city, the largest number of crowd of devotees was seen at
Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramkrishna Mission Math, Kalabagan,
Banani, Shakhari Bazar and Dhaka University Jagannath Hall puja
mandaps.
Security has been beefed up at all Puja pandals throughout the
country, including the capital, with the deployment of additional
squads of Ansars, police, RAB and other law enforcers for peaceful
celebration of the festival.
Besides, voluntary groups will also perform duties at the puja pandals.
BSS/Trans/MMM/MRU/1835hrs