Thousands of Hindu devotees yesterday celebrated Mahaastami Puja at mandaps (marquees) across the country, offering obeisance to Goddess Durga.
Today, Mahanabami, the fourth day of Durga Puja, will begin at 9:00am. On this day, priests begin the rituals that culminate with a devotional offering called "Maha-arati".
The auspicious "Sandhi Puja" was performed at the confluence of Mahashtami and Mahanavami from 12:38am to 1:26am in a serene and festive mood. It is the belief that at this "sandhikhan" Devi Durga killed Chandu and Mundu, the two asuras, and thus acquired the name "Chamunda".
The Mahastami is also the time for Kumari Puja where a girl child, symbolising a pre-pubescent, is worshipped as the "Mother Goddess". This integral part of the sacred ritual was performed amidst huge festivity yesterday.
From the early morning people of all ages gathered at Ramkrishna Mission to observe Kumari Puja. This is the only place where Kumari Puja is arranged.
According to Hindu philosophy, Kumari puja was initiated to establish the importance of women who symbolise the power that regulates creation on the earth, and Devi Durga, the idol of divine power against all evils, manifests herself more in a pure-hearted girl. Kumari Shakti is the basis of all creation.
A huge gathering was noticed at the city's temples as devotees thronged there to offer prayers for the blessings of Durga,the saviour of mankind against all dangers. They recited hymns while offering Anjali before her.
The ambience of puja mandap gets a festive mood as the dhakis (drummers) attracts the devotees near the puja place beating drums amidst hymns chanted by Brahmins.
Deputy Leader of parliament and ruling Awami League presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Qader, Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty among the eminent personalities visited different puja mandaps in the city including Dhakeswari National Temple.
Additional law enforcers have been deployed around the puja venues to ensure security during the puja festivities.
Stringent security measures are in place at main puja mandaps of the capital including Dhakeswri National Temple, RK Mission, Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Ramna Kali Mandir, Siddheswari Kali. Mandir.