Barishal getting ready to welcome Durga

Preparations at over two thousand mandaps in Barishal division are in the final stage as Durga Puja, one of the largest festivals of the Hindus, draws nearer. 

Artisans are now busy putting the finishing touches to idols at the mandaps -- a platform set up for worshipping. The organisers and law enforcers are equally busy arranging security, traffic management and other facilities during the festival.  

This year's Durga Puja starts on October 15. It will end with Bijaya Dashami on October 19.

In Barishal district alone, the puja will be held at 601 temples this year, said Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahaman.

Rakhal Chandra Dey, president of Puja Udjapan Parishad in the district, said over two thousand mandaps will be set up all over the division this time.

The division's largest mandap is being set up in Kabutarkhali village under Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur district, said Sudip Halder, its organiser.

At this mandap, there will be at least 156 idols and sculptures including the characters from popular children's educational cartoon Mina, Sudip said, adding that 6 artisans have been working for the last three months at the mandap that drew around 1 lakh visitors last year. 

In Barishal city, members of Puja Udjapan Parishad will enforce strict monitoring to ensure a festive atmosphere said the parishad's General Secretary Narayan Chandra Dey.

Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosharraf Hossain said they are taking all measures to ensure security, swift movement of traffic and uninterrupted power supply during the occasion. A team of law enforcers will be posted at each of the temples.