Security tight as Hindu devotees prepare to celebrate Durga Puja
Sunday, 20 September 2009
FE Report
Security has been tight in more than 24,000 temples across the country as Bangladesh's 30 million Hindus celebrate their largest religious festival of Durgapuja from September 24-28.
The goddess Durga is worshiped by Bengali followers of Sanatan religion as a symbol of peace and harmony, slayer of evils and harbinger of prosperity to the country.
Devotees will flock the temples in droves from Thursday when the goddess descends on earth on the Maha-shashthi, accompanied by her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati, at the invocation and supplication of the worshippers
She stays on earth for the next four day before the main Bijoya Dashami celebrations on September 28 when the idol will be immersed in the river.
Priests say this year the goddess is coming to the world by riding on a palanquin and will return on an elephant, according to a calendar followed by religious scholars.
"This year Maa (Mother) Durga is arriving on a palanquin, which means diseases will spread on her arrival," said the head priest of Ramkrishna Temple and Mission Swami Sthiratmananda told the FE.
"But Maa will go back to her husband's house on an elephant. It means she will leave the world a better place. There will be lot of rains and bumper harvests," he said.
He added priests have already selected a teenage girl to be worshipped on the Maha-ashtami - also known as Kumari Puja. "We are not disclosing her identity before the Puja," he said.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the organisation overseeing the festival, said at least 24,000 permanent and makeshift temples have been set up in the country's all 64 districts and the main cities and towns.
In the capital Dhaka, the Durga Puja will be celebrated in 172 temples, according to the City Puja Committee.
The largest gathering of worshippers is expected at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, one of the holiest places for Hindus in the country.
The making of the Durga and other idols at the 11th century temple is in the last stage, said city puja committee's secretary Tapash Kumar Paul, adding this year President's prizewinner Shukumer Pal of Manikgonj has been entrusted to make the idols, which will cost Tk 60,000.
Large makeshift temples have also been built at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, the Ramkrishna Mission, Ramna Kali Mondir, Siddheshwari Kali Mondir, Tanti Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, Bangla Bazar, and at Mohakhali and Farmgate.
"Artisans are giving final touches to the Durga idols across the country. There is festive atmosphere everywhere. We are happy with the puja preparations and the security measures taken by the government," Paul said.
Shymal Kumar Mukharjee, Assistant Police Commissioner, Media said, Dhaka metropolitan Police (DMP) has deployed 1556 policemen and 1048 ansars to ensure law and order in the capital's temples.
"Scores of detective police in plainclothes and Rapid Action Battalion squads will also patrol the temples during puja days to prevent any untoward incidents," he said.
There will be an additional deployment of another 1000 policemen on the Bijoya Dashami, especially when the worshipers would immerse Goddess Durga and her entire family in the river, he said.
Security has been tight in more than 24,000 temples across the country as Bangladesh's 30 million Hindus celebrate their largest religious festival of Durgapuja from September 24-28.
The goddess Durga is worshiped by Bengali followers of Sanatan religion as a symbol of peace and harmony, slayer of evils and harbinger of prosperity to the country.
Devotees will flock the temples in droves from Thursday when the goddess descends on earth on the Maha-shashthi, accompanied by her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati, at the invocation and supplication of the worshippers
She stays on earth for the next four day before the main Bijoya Dashami celebrations on September 28 when the idol will be immersed in the river.
Priests say this year the goddess is coming to the world by riding on a palanquin and will return on an elephant, according to a calendar followed by religious scholars.
"This year Maa (Mother) Durga is arriving on a palanquin, which means diseases will spread on her arrival," said the head priest of Ramkrishna Temple and Mission Swami Sthiratmananda told the FE.
"But Maa will go back to her husband's house on an elephant. It means she will leave the world a better place. There will be lot of rains and bumper harvests," he said.
He added priests have already selected a teenage girl to be worshipped on the Maha-ashtami - also known as Kumari Puja. "We are not disclosing her identity before the Puja," he said.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the organisation overseeing the festival, said at least 24,000 permanent and makeshift temples have been set up in the country's all 64 districts and the main cities and towns.
In the capital Dhaka, the Durga Puja will be celebrated in 172 temples, according to the City Puja Committee.
The largest gathering of worshippers is expected at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, one of the holiest places for Hindus in the country.
The making of the Durga and other idols at the 11th century temple is in the last stage, said city puja committee's secretary Tapash Kumar Paul, adding this year President's prizewinner Shukumer Pal of Manikgonj has been entrusted to make the idols, which will cost Tk 60,000.
Large makeshift temples have also been built at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, the Ramkrishna Mission, Ramna Kali Mondir, Siddheshwari Kali Mondir, Tanti Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, Bangla Bazar, and at Mohakhali and Farmgate.
"Artisans are giving final touches to the Durga idols across the country. There is festive atmosphere everywhere. We are happy with the puja preparations and the security measures taken by the government," Paul said.
Shymal Kumar Mukharjee, Assistant Police Commissioner, Media said, Dhaka metropolitan Police (DMP) has deployed 1556 policemen and 1048 ansars to ensure law and order in the capital's temples.
"Scores of detective police in plainclothes and Rapid Action Battalion squads will also patrol the temples during puja days to prevent any untoward incidents," he said.
There will be an additional deployment of another 1000 policemen on the Bijoya Dashami, especially when the worshipers would immerse Goddess Durga and her entire family in the river, he said.