The New Nation - Internet Edition

Durga Puja, the greatest religious festival of Hindu
Community, ends through the immersion of image of mother
goddess Durga into the river Buriganga yesterday evening. NN
photo

Thousands of people of the Hindu Community thronged
Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong to immerse the image of Devi
Durga Sunday evening. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, ended yesterday through the immersion of images of Devi Durga after five days of festivities.

The Hindu community observed the Bijoya Dashami yesterday and exchanged Bijoya greetings before joining the final show. Bijoya Dashami is the special ceremony to reiterate peace and good relations among the people. The day was a public holiday.

The Devi Durga descended on the earth by riding palanquin and departed on elephant-back. Under the Hindu mythology it symbolises that the country will reap abundant crops this year.

Devi Durga is the greatest goddess in the Hindu faith and is worshipped in various forms corresponding to her two characteristics - kindness to the good and brutality to the evil.

A long truck procession with images of Devi Durga was brought out from Dhakeswari temple and dispersed at Swarighat on the bank of the River Buriganga in Dhaka. The procession passed through main streets of the city. The immersion started at 6:00pm.

The Hindu revellers, many painting their face with crimson-coloured perfumes and danced in circles with the rhythm of bands while marching along the route, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed organised a reception to the Hindu community at Bangabhaban in the city.

The Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty, US Charge d' Affairs Geeta Pasi, high officials, leaders of the Hindu community, among others, were present in the reception. After the reception a musical soiree was held there.

Meanwhile, our Narsingdi Correspondent said a terror attack took place at a puja mandap in Narsingdi where 10 persons including four ansar members were injured.