Sharadiya Durga Puja Begins, Today is Maha Shashthi

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09 Oct 2024, 08:59

Photo: Collected

The biggest religious festival for the followers of Sanatan Hinduism, Sharadiya Durga Puja, begins today, Wednesday (October 9), with Maha Shashthi. The five-day-long festival will conclude on Sunday (October 13) with the immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami.

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The formalities of the festival will commence with the invitation of Devi Shashthi. The ritual of "Mahashashthi Kalprarambha" must be completed by 8:01 AM. In the evening, the Devi will be invited and installed. Although the festival’s formalities began with Mahalaya on October 2, the main celebrations are starting today.

Temples across the country have already been decorated to welcome Devi Durga. Reports indicate that this year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 32,666 mandaps nationwide.

A continuous four-day public holiday will further amplify the festive atmosphere. The government has announced a holiday on Thursday through an executive order, adding to the regular weekend holidays of Friday and Saturday. Thus, there will be a continuous break from Thursday to Sunday, with Bijoya Dashami on Sunday being a public holiday.

Devi Durga is believed to protect her devotees from obstacles, fear, sorrow, grief, and suffering. According to scriptures, another meaning of Durga’s name is "one who is attained through suffering." She tests people’s endurance through hardship, and if they call upon her without losing patience, she alleviates their pain.

The "Maha Chandi" mentions that in the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama worshiped Devi Mahamaya, seeking strength to defeat the demon king Ravana. He performed this worship during the autumn, and with the goddess’s blessing, he emerged victorious, rescuing Devi Sita and defeating Ravana. Since then, followers of the Sanatan Dharma have been celebrating Durga Puja every autumn.

According to the Loknath calendar, today is Maha Shashthi, tomorrow is Maha Saptami, Friday is Maha Ashtami, Saturday is Maha Navami, and the festival will end on Sunday (October 13) with the immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami.

To ensure security at the temples, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has opened a control room and has taken measures for the central mandap in the city.

The Armed Forces will be deployed for the security of the mandaps. On Monday (October 7), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam visited the Dhakeshwari Temple to inspect security arrangements for Sharadiya Durga Puja. After the inspection, he informed reporters that more than 31,000 mandaps will celebrate the puja this year. He assured that there would be no room for any disorder at these mandaps. Control rooms have been set up at every upazila, district, and police headquarters to ensure security.

He added that other law enforcement agencies have also ensured comprehensive security at the mandaps. Patrols have been increased in all areas before the puja. Ansar and VDP (Village Defense Party) forces have already been deployed. They will work from Bodhon and Shashthi Puja onwards at all mandaps. In addition, members of the Armed Forces will also be stationed and will take part in securing the festival. Mobile teams and striking forces will remain on standby. Volunteers, along with Ansar forces, are also active, leaving no room for any chaos or ill-intentions.

5-day Festival Schedule:
The formalities of Durga Puja began with Mahalaya on October 2. However, the main celebrations start today, Wednesday (October 9), with Maha Shashthi. The festival will end on Dashami with the immersion of the idols. This year, Devi Durga will arrive on a palanquin and depart for heaven on a horse.

According to temple sources, the following schedule is in place:

October 9 (24 Ashwin): Maha Shashthi Kalprarambha must be completed by 8:01 AM, followed by the invitation and installation of the Devi in the evening.
October 10 (25 Ashwin): Maha Saptami Puja, including the Nabapatrika entry and installation, must be completed by 7:53 AM, followed by the distribution of clothes.
October 11 (26 Ashwin): Maha Ashtami Puja begins at 7:17 AM, with the crucial Sandhi Puja between 6:52 AM and 7:41 AM. Maha Prasad will be distributed in the afternoon.
October 12 (27 Ashwin): Maha Navami Puja must be completed by 6:12 AM, and Durga Dashami Puja must be concluded by 8:26 AM, followed by the immersion of the mirror.
October 13 (28 Ashwin): There will be a voluntary blood donation event at noon, followed by the Bijoya procession at 4 PM.

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