Mahasaptami today

Hindu devotees across the country yesterday celebrated Mahashashthi on the first day of Durga puja, the biggest Hindu festival in Bangladesh, amid festivity.
On the second day of five-day long Durga puja, Hindus will celebrate the Mahasaptami Puja today marking Goddess Durga's victory over demon Mahishashur.
The victory of Goddess Durga, daughter of the majestic Himalayas, over the devil symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
On the first day of Durga Puja yesterday, thousands of devotees attended the mandaps (worship pavilions) to receive Durga and her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh.
Hindus believe the goddess descend on earth at the invocation and supplication of the devotees through Bodhon rituals during the Mahashashthi puja.
Durga is welcomed with much fanfare amidst the beats of Dhak. Unveiling the face of the idol is the main ritual on this day. Kalaparambho, the ritual performed before the commencement of the puja preceded Bodhon, Amontron and Adhibas.
On Mahasaptami today, the devotees will recite hymns and offer flowers seeking blessings from Durga the Durgatinashini -- saviour of humankind from all evils.
According to the lunar schedule, Mahasaptami puja will start by 9:57am today.
Around 22,000 mandaps have already been set up across the country including 165 in Dhaka. Last year the number of mandaps was 20,000.
Bakshibazar, Shankharibazar, Tantibazar, Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Ramna Kali Mandir, Dhakeswari Mandir, Thataribazar, Ramkrishna Mission, Pranab Math, Siddeswari Kali Mandir, Dayaganj, Rayerbazar, Rajarbagh, Rishipara were a few of the prominent mandaps that have been given a decorative look with colourful designs and lights.
Meanwhile, extra law enforcers have been deployed around the puja venues to ensure security and to avoid any untoward situations during the Durga puja festivities.
Adviser for Law and Religion AF Hassan Ariff and Manik Lal Samaddar, special assistant to the chief adviser, Home Secretary Abdul Karim, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nayeem Ahmed, Rapid Action Battalion Director General Khandker Hasan Mahmud are scheduled to visit Mohanagar Puja Mandap at Dhakeswari Jatiya Mandir today, says a press release of Mohanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) Adviser Major Gen (retd) CR Dutta Beer Uttam at a press conference yesterday said the increase in number of mandaps this year indicates communal unity among people in the country.
DPUP leaders demanded that the government ensure equal rights of people of all faiths, giving Durga puja state status, four-day vacation on this occasion and celebrating Janmashtami of Sri Krishna at state level.