Rajarhat gears up for Durga Puja at 130 mandaps

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Oct 4: Preparations are underway to celebrate Durga Puja at 130 mandaps in Rajarhat Upazila of Kurigram this year amid religious solemnity and festive spirit.

Decoration work is progressing at temples and puja mandaps across the upazila. Artisans are busy making idols at some venues, while repair, painting and decoration work is nearing completion at others. The Hindu community in the area has already begun feeling the festive spirit surrounding the celebration.

The upazila administration will hold a preparatory meeting on October 5, chaired by Rajarhat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanzila Tasnim.

Presidents and general secretaries of the 130 temples, leaders of the upazila Puja Celebration Front and Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Front, officials of different government offices and political leaders will attend the meeting.

As part of security measures, CCTV cameras are being installed at the puja mandaps. Police and Ansar-VDP members will also be deployed at each venue. Police and other law enforcement agencies will conduct patrols and maintain surveillance around the mandaps to keep the overall law and order situation under control.

According to the upazila Puja Celebration Committee and other sources, Durga Puja will be held at 130 mandaps across seven unions of Rajarhat. Of these, 24 are in Chakirpashar Union, 21 in Rajarhat Union, 20 in Ghariyaldanga Union, six in Biddyananda Union, 12 in Umar Majid Union, 19 in Nazimkhan Union and 28 in Chinai Union.

The formalities of Durga Puja will begin with Mahalaya on October 10. Maha Shashthi will be observed on October 16, Maha Saptami on October 18, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Nabami on October 20 and Bijoya Dashami on October 21.

A visit to several mandaps in the upazila found idol makers busy completing the final touches. Workers were also engaged in decorating the venues with bamboo, fabric, lights and other materials. As the festival draws closer, preparations are gathering pace.

Organisers said they were giving top priority to security while ensuring that the celebrations are held with religious solemnity and festive spirit. Necessary measures are being taken in coordination with law enforcement agencies to prevent any untoward incident.

Locals hope the Sharadiya Durga Puja will be celebrated peacefully and festively at all the mandaps in Rajarhat this year as well.