Durga Puja being celebrated with grand festivity in Cumilla

The grand celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival for Hindus, is in full swing in Cumilla with great festivity. This year, the puja is being held at 748 puja mandaps across the district, with a high level of security ensuring safety at all venues. Devotees visiting the mandaps are in a festive spirit, and the vibrant decorations are drawing everyone's attention.

Many mandaps have been adorned in a competitive spirit, showcasing elaborate designs.
On the auspicious day of Ashtami, Friday, devotees were seen performing the rituals with enthusiasm, devotion, and a sense of religious solemnity at various traditional sites in Cumilla city, such as Raj Rajeshwari Kalibari, Thakurpara, Nanuadighi Para, Jagannath Mandir, and Housing Estate, among others. The celebrations include dancing, singing, and the rhythmic beats of drums. The rituals involve the lighting of incense, the use of panchapradip (five-wick lamps), ululation, drumbeats, and the blowing of conch shells.

Cumilla city and its surrounding areas host a total of 96 puja mandaps, four of which are designated for 'ghot puja.' Across the entire district, 34 out of 748 mandaps are dedicated to 'ghot puja.' This year, the total number of puja mandaps has decreased by 93 compared to last year when there were 881 mandaps. It has been reported that the decline in numbers is due to various reasons, including the recent floods.

Speaking about 'ghot puja,' Achintya Das Tito, General Secretary of Cumilla City Puja Celebration Committee, said that puja is typically performed by creating an idol or a form of the deity.

However, 'ghot puja' is a form of worship without idols, where the deity is worshiped in a formless state. In other words, the deity can be worshiped both in a formed and formless manner, and 'ghot puja' is the worship of the formless aspect.

However, Kumari Puja has not been held in Cumilla this year. Although this ritual is usually performed at the Cumilla Ramakrishna Mission, it was skipped this year due to various challenges, including managing the large crowd. Professor Shanti Ranjan Bhowmik, President of Cumilla Ramakrishna Mission, confirmed this decision.

In the greater Cumilla and Noakhali regions, comprising six districts, there are a total of 1,906 puja mandaps. Security for all these mandaps is being provided by the Ansar force. Across the six districts—Cumilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Feni, Chandpur, and Lakshmipur—12,401 Ansar members have been deployed to ensure round-the-clock safety at the puja mandaps.

Ashish Kumar Bhattacharya, Director of Cumilla Range and Range Commander of Bangladesh Ansar and Defense Force, said that the Ansar force in Cumilla oversees six districts. A total of 12,401 members have been deployed across 1,906 puja mandaps in these six districts. In addition to their presence, the army, RAB, and police forces are also active in ensuring security. He mentioned that during the festival, including the immersion of the deity, 43 teams consisting of 215 Ansar Battalion members will conduct mobile strike force and undercover patrols in each district to ensure safety at every mandap in the range.

No compromises have been made regarding security. He expressed hope that devotees will be able to celebrate the festival peacefully and festively.

On Wednesday, Durga Puja began with the invocation of Goddess Durga through the "Mahashashti" and the worship of the demon-slaying goddess Mahishasura Mardini. Thursday was Saptami, and today, Friday, marks Ashtami. The immersion of the Durga idol will take place on October 13th, marking the conclusion of the festival with Vijaya Dashami.

Nirmal Chandra Pal, Vice-President of the Cumilla District Puja Celebration Committee, said that Durga Puja is the biggest festival for the followers of the Sanatan religion. He praised the law enforcement agencies for their support and expressed hope that the festival in Cumilla will conclude peacefully in a safe environment.