Today marks Shuvo Bijoya Dashami.
The six-day festivities of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, draw to a close on Wednesday (October 21) with the immersion of idols.
Following days of joyful celebration, mandaps across the country are preparing to bid farewell to Goddess Durga, creating an atmosphere filled with both festive spirit and poignant farewells.
The official proceedings of this year's Durga Puja will culminate with the idol immersion. For security reasons, the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad has instructed that all immersions be completed before evening.
The formal rituals commenced on October 16 with Shashthi Puja. Over the past six days, puja mandaps in the capital and across the nation hosted worship rituals, cultural functions, and diverse celebrations.
On the occasion of Bijoya Dashami, leaders from political parties, including the BNP, and various organizations extended warm greetings to the Hindu community.
In celebration of Sharadiya Durgotsav, various areas of the capital were colorfully decorated, with attractive gates and aesthetic lighting erected at many mandaps.
The venues drew large crowds of devotees and visitors throughout the festival days. Today's immersion marks the formal end of the celebrations.
A public holiday has been declared for Bijoya Dashami.
Responding to a longstanding demand of the Hindu community, the government extended the Durga Puja holiday to three days by executive order.
Combined with the weekend, government employees and citizens are enjoying a five-day long break from October 20 to 24, further adding to the festive cheer.
Durga Puja is not only the premier religious festival of the Hindu community, but also an integral part of Bangladesh's cultural heritage.
The festival reinforces bonds of harmony, solidarity, and mutual empathy among people across all faiths, leaving behind a lasting message of peaceful coexistence as Goddess Durga departs.
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