Last Updated on October 16, 2026 7:19 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain, Dhaka
Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Bangladesh’s Hindu community, began on Friday (October 16) with Maha Shashthi, as devotees welcomed Goddess Durga with prayers, incense, lamps, conch shells, ululations and traditional drumbeats.
Temples and puja pandals across the country performed Bodhan (awakening), Abahan (invocation) and Adhibas (consecration) rituals amid colourful decorations and lighting.
According to Hindu beliefs, Goddess Durga protects devotees from suffering, fear, grief and obstacles. Her name symbolises divine power that helps overcome hardship, with traditional teachings emphasising endurance and devotion. The goddess is believed to arrive on horseback this year and depart by boat on Bijoya Dashami.
Mahalaya traditionally heralds her arrival, while the festival concludes with Maha Arati and idol immersion on Dashami.
Maha Saptami rituals will be observed on Saturday and Sunday, followed by Maha Ashtami on Monday, Maha Navami on Tuesday and Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday (October 21).
This year, celebrations are being held at 33,851 pandals nationwide, around 1,500 more than last year, including 258 in Dhaka.
The government has announced a five-day holiday from October 20 to 24, comprising holidays for Maha Navami on October 20, Bijoya Dashami on October 21 and an additional holiday on October 22, followed by the regular Friday-Saturday weekend. Authorities have stepped up security to ensure peaceful celebrations.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has deployed personnel to secure 2,727 pandals, including 1,425 in border areas, and established 21 base camps in remote locations.
The force has also launched the “Sharadiya Surokkha App” and established a special monitoring cell to coordinate security and respond to incidents.
BGB urged people to verify information before sharing misleading or provocative content on social media.