Dipaboli celebrations light up the night

The traditional Hindu festivals of Dipaboli and Kali Puja were celebrated in Thakurgaon on Wednesday night.
The devotees offered flowers, food and special prayers on the occasion. They also lit candles for the eternal peace of the departed souls. Houses were decorated with lights and warm greetings were exchanged.
Apart from the celebrations, a vibrant cultural programme was held at Thakurgaon Maha Shamshanghat Kali Temple premises that captivated Hindu devotees as well as other people of different communities. The cultural programme featured Shyama Sangeet and Baul songs rendered by local artistes.
A fireworks display was held at the same venue ahead of the programme.
Deputy Commissioner of Thakurgaon, Muhammad Shahiduzzaman, inaugurated the event as chief guest. Acting president of district unit Awami League, advocate Mokbul Hossain, and president of Hindu, Buddho, Christian Oikya Parishad, advocate Baluram Guha Thakurata, were present as special guests.
To mark the festival a mela was held at the venue where about 100 makeshift stalls -- carrying different items including handicrafts, toys, balloons and food items -- were set up.
Thousands of people and children from far-flung areas thronged the festival as in previous years.

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Hossain Seraj, Magura
Kali Puja was celebrated on Wednesday night with festivity at the Matrisadanpara temple in Magura town.
A captivating cultural programme with song renditions was held.
Usually the puja is known as 'Kali Puja', but this year the nomenclature was changed to 'Shyama Ma-er Puja'.
Ardent devotees from various areas of the district thronged the temple premises from the afternoon. Food was also distributed among the devotees and the poor.

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Our Correspondent, Mymensingh
A four-day Kali Puja has begun here. The celebration will conclude on October 30.
The opening day [October 26] of the celebration featured 'Dipaboli Utshab' (festival of lights). Devotees lit up earthen lamps at the temples.
The four-day celebration included renditions of Shyama Sangeet, aarti competition and distribution of prasad among the devotees.
Meanwhile, the district and police administration has taken security steps during the celebration.