Kumari Puja today

Photo: Focus Bangla

Hindu devotees celebrate Mahaastami today on the third day of the Durga puja, the biggest festival of the Hindus.
The attraction of the Mahaastami is Kumari Puja or worship of the virgin.
Devotees will fast and recite hymns while attending the puja ceremonies at the mandaps (worship pavilion) and offer flowers to seek blessings from Durga, the saviour of humankind from all evils.
Yesterday, devotees celebrated Shaptami puja. Devotees, especially children, wore their clothes and visited the different mandaps yesterday on the second day of Durga puja to see Durga and her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh and to seek their blessings.
The mandaps took on a festive mood to the sounds of dhaak (drum), brass and conches amidst hymns recited by Brahmins.
Beginning on Sunday, Hindus began the five-day long festivals through to Thursday to mark goddess Durga's victory over the evil force of Mahishashur.
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. The organisers have also arranged cultural programmes on the occasion.
Meanwhile, extra law enforcers have been deployed around the puja venues to ensure security during the puja festivities.