The Hindu community in Bangladesh is celebrating Maha Navami, the penultimate day of Durga Puja, on Tuesday (October 20), marking the beginning of the emotional farewell to Goddess Durga.
Devotees will bid farewell to the goddess on Wednesday (October 21) through the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami, symbolising her return to Mount Kailash.
On Maha Navami, devotees will offer prayers, perform special rituals, offer anjali and distribute prasad at puja mandaps across the country.
The celebrations will also feature Maha Arati in the evening, while devotees will perform Navami Homa and other religious rituals.
According to Hindu religious traditions, Sandhi Puja marks the transition between Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. The 48-minute ritual covers the final 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami.
During Sandhi Puja, devotees worship Goddess Chamunda, traditionally lighting 108 lamps and offering 108 lotus flowers.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga defeats demons, including Chanda, Munda and Raktabija, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
As the Maha Navami rituals conclude, a sense of sadness will gradually replace the festive atmosphere as devotees prepare to bid farewell to the goddess.
The festival, which began with Maha Shashthi rituals, will conclude on Wednesday with the immersion of Durga idols on Bijoya Dashami.
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