The countdown for Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, will officially commence on Friday with the nationwide celebration of Mahalaya.

The Buddhist community will celebrate one of their major religious festivals 'Madhu Purnima' in the city as elsewhere in the country tomorrow (Saturday) with solemn devotion and traditional enthusiasm.

Janmashtami, standing as a prominent spiritual celebration for the Hindu populace commemorating the nativity of Lord Sri Krishna, is being observed nationwide today accompanied by fitting devotional fervor and jubilation.

The Hindu community across Bangladesh is preparing to observe Janmashtami, commemorating the nativity of Lord Krishna, on Friday accompanied by appropriate devotional enthusiasm.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs formally unveiled the official government and private sector Hajj packages for 2027, locking in the minimum cost at BDT 513,648 while lowering the airfare component to BDT 130,000 following an executive directive from the Prime Minister. The newly introduced framework establishes two distinct government-managed Hajj options alongside a single standardized general package for private operators.  Announcing the policy guidelines during a press briefing at the Secretariat, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad highlighted that direct intervention from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led to a BDT 24,830 reduction in flight costs compared to the previous year's pricing structure. Reflecting on recent operational achievements, the minister noted that the 2026 pilgrimage season concluded successfully, earning formal praise from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.  He attributed the disciplined execution of the management system to close executive oversight and the coordinated efforts of relevant agencies. Minister Kaikobad explained that Saudi authorities have introduced structural updates for the 2027 season aimed at streamlining operations and upgrading service standards.  Under the revised guidelines, lodging in Makkah and Madinah, regional transport, catering, tent accommodations, and field logistics have been consolidated into an integrated service framework.  The total number of available service tiers has been streamlined from four to three, with mandatory half-board catering now enforced across all tiers. Reaffirming the administration's pledge to deliver an accessible, affordable, and expatriate-friendly pilgrimage experience, the minister pointed out that round-trip air travel expenses have dropped significantly over recent cycles, falling from BDT 167,820 in 2025 down to the current BDT 130,000 threshold for 2027. Under the state-administered plans, Government Hajj Package-1 is priced at BDT 615,263. Pilgrims opting for this tier will secure lodging within one to one-and-a-half kilometers of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and inside the central Markazi area in Madinah.  The package includes Zone-2 tent placements in Mina, Service Package-3 coverage, and Moallem-managed meal service, alongside options for room upgrades and shortened itinerary durations subject to supplementary fees. Government Hajj Package-2 has been established at BDT 556,648. This tier places pilgrims within two to three kilometers of the Haram in Makkah and no further than 800 meters from Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah. It provides Zone-5 tent facilities in Mina, Service Package-3 logistics, and Moallem catering.  For properties situated beyond two kilometers from holy sites, shuttle services via Salawat buses will operate in compliance with Saudi transport regulations. For private travel agencies, the government set the baseline General Hajj Package at BDT 513,648.  Read More Dr Zubaida Honors Milestone Plane Crash Victims, Praises Community Courage Private operators must arrange lodging within three kilometers of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and within one kilometer of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah, with room occupancy strictly capped at six pilgrims. Compliance guidelines mandate Zone-5 tent assignments, Service Package-3 standards, and Moallem catering. Minister Kaikobad cautioned that private agencies are prohibited from offering packages below the government's minimum service baseline.  All approved itineraries must be published transparently on the central Hajj web portal and individual agency websites, with strict prohibitions against omitting mandatory costs such as Dam-e-Shukr, Dam-e-Qiran, or catering fees from initial quotes. In a move to assist non-resident citizens, the government confirmed that Bangladeshi pilgrims living abroad will be permitted to complete required medical screenings, obtain immunizations, and process Hajj visas directly from their country of residence.  Administrative efforts are also underway to allow overseas Bangladeshis to fly straight to Saudi Arabia without returning to Dhaka first. Formal registration for the 2027 Hajj cycle opens on September 24, 2026. Prospective pilgrims can complete preliminary registration by selecting their preferred package via the official Hajj portal and remitting a deposit of BDT 250,000, with final confirmation dependent on clearing the remaining balance before specified deadlines. Participating passports must maintain validity through December 31, 2027.  According to preliminary schedules, outbound Hajj flights will commence on April 8, 2027, ahead of the holy rituals expected to take place on May 15, 2027.