Durga Puja begins today

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, begins today with the incarnation of Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Shasthi across the country amid vibrant festivities and due religious fervour.

Shashthi puja will start with Kalparambho early in the morning followed by Adhibash, Amantran (invitation) and Bodhon (incarnation).

Throughout the day, recitation of verses from the Holy Chandi, blowing of shankha (conch shells) and beating of dhak-dhol (drums) will be heard in temples and mandaps.

Saptami puja will be held tomorrow, Ashtami, Kumari and Sandhi puja on Sunday, Nabami on Monday and Bijoya Dashami on Tuesday.

The five-day annual festival will come to an end with the immersion of idols of Durga in rivers and other water bodies across the country.

According to Hindu religious text, Goddess Durga on this day descends on Earth with her four children -- Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.

It is believed that every year, Goddess Durga arrives on different "vahanas" (modes of transport) that signify the fate of mankind. This year, Durga will arrive and depart on a horse, which is considered an omen of war, dispute and inclement weather.

Durga Puja will be celebrated at 32,408 mandaps across the country, including 245 in the capital, according to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad.

In the capital, the main puja mandaps are at Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramkrishna Mission and Math, Khamar Bari of Farmgate area, Banani, Shakhari Bazar, Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, and Ramna Kali Mandir.

During a visit to the Dhakeshwari Central Puja mandap, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman said that there is no specific security threat during the Durga puja and all necessary measures have been taken in this regard.