Bogura adorned in festive colors of Durga Puja

Many people are sitting down to enjoy Fuchka and Chotpoti with their family members and loved ones. Children and teenagers are visiting the puja mandaps. Women, dressed in various styles, are gathering at cosmetic shops, and some are buying clay utensils. Meanwhile, many are meeting old friends at the puja mandaps, engaging in lively conversations. Altogether, a festive atmosphere has spread everywhere.

On Friday (October 11), a visit to several puja mandaps in Bogura town during Durga Puja, the biggest festival for Bengali Hindus, revealed similar scenes. However, sources from the Puja Celebration Committee noted that the number of mandaps has declined compared to last year, citing concerns about potential attacks.

Earlier, on Wednesday (October 9), the Durga Puja festival began with the invitation and installation of the goddess during the Shashthi Puja. The next day, the Maha Saptami was celebrated.

Today is Maha Ashtami, along with Kumari Puja. Maha Navami will be observed on October 12, and the Durga Puja will conclude on October 13 with the immersion of the idols during Vijaya Dashami.

In the Malatinagar area of Bogura town, the Barowari Durga Temple has been hosting Durga Puja for 96 years. There, at least ten people were spoken to, including Abhi Modak and Ripon Chandra, who were visiting various puja mandaps with their family members and friends.

They remarked, "It's not right to turn away from joy during festival days for any reason. Denying oneself the fun and celebration is harmful to both the mind and body. Festivals should be celebrated with a spirit of festivity, as this brings peace to the heart."

Nirmal Roy, the General Secretary of the Bogura Puja Celebration Committee, said, "This year, Durga Puja is being celebrated at 628 mandaps in Bogura, down from 663 mandaps last year. So far, the puja has been celebrated peacefully, and there are no concerns whatsoever."

When asked about the decrease in the number of puja mandaps compared to last year, he said, "Many people, motivated by fear and anxiety, chose not to organize pujas this year. In particular, Hindus in poorer areas did not set up mandaps. Organizing a puja incurs significant costs, and given the current situation, any attack or incident at a mandap could lead to serious trouble. This fear has contributed to the reduction in the number of mandaps compared to last year."

In this regard, Bogura's Superintendent of Police, Zedan Al Musa, said, "Durga Puja is being celebrated peacefully in Bogura. Various police teams are actively working to ensure comprehensive security for the celebrations, and the district police are maintaining strict surveillance to prevent any untoward incidents."