The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Hindu devotees are all set to invoke goddess Durga, with the Shashti Puja at some 21,649 puja mandaps across the country today.

Durga Puja, the greatest festival of Bengali Hindus, marks the goddess's victory over Mahishashur, the demon, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Devotees recite hymns and offer flowers on this day seeking blessings of Durgatinashini Durga, the saviour from all evils. With puja preparations almost complete by now, the environs now reverberate with celestial chants to usher in the mighty deity.

The five-day festivities are formally launched with 'Devi Bodhon', when the goddess Durga is invited to visit earth. The celebrations will continue for next four days for Shaptami, Ashtami, Nabami and Dashami Puja. Dhaka city alone has 162 pavilions located in 21 areas. The main Puja Mandap in the capital will be at Dhakeshwari National Temple and at Ramkrishna Mission.

Mandaps have also been put up at Jagannath Hall in Dhaka University, Ramna Kali Mandir, Siddheswari Kali Mandir, Tanti Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, Bangla Bazar, Laxmibazar and in Mohakhali and Farm Gate areas.

Eden College, Banani playground, Sri Sri Ram Sita Temple in the old city, Shiva Temple in Thatari Bazar, Bhagabati Temple, Pranab Moth, Northbroocke Hall Jamidar Bari, Banagram Tarun Sangsad, North and South Mesindi, Narendra Basak Lane, Madan Mohon Temple in Hamanto Das Lane, Rupchan Das Lane, Sri Sri Jamuna Mi Ashram and Siddheswari Kali Temple are among the major festival spots of Durga Puja this year.

The Durga Puja begins just after the greatest Muslim religious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Security has been tightened. Monitoring cells have been formed to help the Hindus observe their biggest annual religious festival.

A high level meeting of security officials also decided to install close circuit cameras and set up a police control room inside the Dhakeshwari national temple which is the main venue of the Durga Puja festival.

"We are taking all steps necessary to ensure maximum security to the religious devotees gathering at the temple," said the capital's police commissioner Naim Ahmed.

At an overnight meeting with Hindu leaders the Dhaka police chief also assured the security of 165 temporary temples for the Goddess spread across the capital for the worshippers.

More than 5,000 extra security personnel are to be deployed during the festivals of the two communities.

Home Ministry sources said the additional security alert was needed because of the latest bomb attacks by terror groups on high profile targets in South Asian countries causing deaths and destruction.

Police officials have said the security arrangement on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr would continue up to the Durga Puja besides the special measures undertaken as per the expectations of the Hindu community leaders.