Maha Nabami of the Sharadiya Durga Puja was celebrated across the country with due religious fervor and gaiety, while devotees eagerly await the celebration of Bijaya Dashami on Wednesday. Bijaya Dashami will mark the farewell to Goddess Durga, with devotees taking the idols in processions to designated rivers, ponds, and other water bodies for immersion, locally known as 'Bisarjan' or 'Niranjan'.
Marking Maha Nabami, various solemn rituals including Nabami Bihit Puja, Boli (ritualistic offerings), the offering of 'bhog' and 'pushpanjali', home joggo, and the distribution of 'Charanamrito' and 'Maha Prashad' were held this morning at mandaps nationwide. Devotees offered 'Anjali' after maintaining ritual fasts as part of the major concluding worship ceremonies of the day.
Puja mandaps across the country have been thronged with devotees and visitors since last Friday, when the six-day festival commenced with the ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga on Maha Shashthi. Vibrant decorations, traditional 'dhak' beats, the rhythmic ringing of 'kashor and ghonta', conch-shell blasts, and traditional ululations have significantly heightened the festive atmosphere.
According to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, a total of 33,851 puja mandaps have been set up across the country this year, including 258 in the capital. This represents an increase of nearly 1,500 mandaps compared to the previous year.
