Dhaka, Oct 20 (V7N)- Hindu devotees across Bangladesh are observing Mahanavami, the fourth day of the autumn Durga Puja celebrations, with traditional rituals, special worship and offerings at mandaps across the country.

On Tuesday, devotees are participating in Bihit Puja in accordance with religious customs. Sacrificial rituals are also scheduled at some mandaps.

Following the Kalpa and Bihit Puja rituals of Mahanavami, devotees are offering garlands and prayers at the feet of Goddess Durga. Special worship of Mahamaya is being held throughout the day, with hundreds of lamps expected to be lit in the evening as part of the devotional ceremonies.

Mahanavami carries a strong sense of farewell for devotees, as the five-day festival approaches its conclusion. Alongside prayers and celebrations, many worshippers are expressing sadness at the prospect of bidding farewell to the goddess.

Durga Puja will conclude with the immersion of the idols on Wednesday, marking the goddess’s symbolic return to her divine abode.

According to traditional Hindu beliefs, Goddess Durga arrived this year on a horse and will depart by boat. These modes of arrival and departure are regarded as inauspicious in some scriptural interpretations. Devotees, however, express faith that sincere worship and devotion will help overcome evil and bring peace and well-being.

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