Khagrachari, Oct 8, V7N- The five-day autumn Durga Puja festival of Sanatan Hindus has begun in Khagrachari, starting with the Mahashasthi celebrations. The event is marked by religious rituals, including Shasthadi Kalparambha and Vihit Puja in the morning, followed by invocation and adhabasa in the evening. The atmosphere in Khagrachari is vibrant as devotees prepare for the festival.

Durga Puja, a major religious festival for Hindus, has prompted heightened security across the region. Law enforcement personnel, including police, Ansar, and BGB members, along with volunteers, are providing security at every pujamandap (temple pavilion).

The key moments of the festival include the donation of the Goddess Durga's eyes, scheduled for Wednesday at 6:10 am during Mahashasthi. Mahasaptami Puja will take place on Thursday morning, followed by Maha-Ashtami and Kumari Puja on Friday. Sandhi Puja will be held at 7:41 am on Friday, and Navami Puja will commence at 6:12 am on Saturday. The festival will conclude on Sunday after Dasami Puja and the ritual immersion of the idols.

Khagrachari, home to diverse ethnic groups, celebrates all major festivals with unity and harmony. This year’s Durga Puja is expected to draw a large crowd, with the Sanatani community eagerly anticipating the celebrations. Ashok Majumdar, President of the Bangladesh Puja Udjakar Parishad Khagrachari branch, expressed hope that the festival would be celebrated joyfully with the participation of all, regardless of religion or caste.

District Commissioner Md. Sahiduzzaman and Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewell have been actively involved in ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival. They inspected the preparations and assured that all necessary administrative and security measures have been taken. In addition, 31 tons of food grains, 6.1 lakh taka from the army's Khagrachari Sadar zone, and 1.52 lakh taka from the Hindu Welfare Trust have been allocated to support the 61 pujamandaps across the district.

Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel confirmed that out of the 61 pujamandaps in the district’s nine upazilas, 34 have been identified as high risk and 6 as very high risk. With the cooperation of the administration and the community, it is expected that the Durga Puja celebrations will conclude peacefully and beautifully.

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