Rangamati prepares for Durga Puja at 47 mandaps

Preparations are nearing completion for Sharadiya Durga Puja at 47 mandaps across 10 upazilas of Rangamati, with authorities stepping up security to ensure peaceful celebrations.

The festival will begin on October 16 with the observance of Shashthi, including the ceremonial awakening, invitation and welcome of Goddess Durga. Artisans are working long hours to complete the idols and decorate the mandaps ahead of the celebrations.

From early morning until late at night, idol makers are applying the final touches to Goddess Durga and other deities, including Kartik, Ganesh, Lakshmi and Saraswati. While painting is nearing completion at some locations, decoration work is continuing at others.

Ranabir Chakraborty, a priest at Shri Shri Raksha Kali Central Temple, outlined the festival schedule. Shashthi will be observed on October 16, followed by Saptami on October 17 and Ashtami on October 18. Maha Ashtami rituals will be held on October 19, followed by Mahanavami on October 20. The celebrations will conclude on October 21 with Dashami rituals, the offering of anjali and the immersion ceremony.

According to traditional beliefs, Goddess Durga will arrive on a horse and depart by boat this year. These modes of arrival and departure are associated with traditional interpretations concerning their effects on the world.

Organisers said the district administration and police were providing full cooperation to ensure the festival was celebrated smoothly. The celebrations will follow the beginning of Devipaksha, marked by Mahalaya.

Rangamati Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdur Rakib said additional security measures had been taken at every mandap. Police will provide security in three layers, including mobile patrols and plainclothes personnel.

More than 400 police officers and personnel will be deployed, he said, adding that the police were coordinating with other government agencies to ensure peaceful celebrations from October 16.

Beyond its religious significance, Durga Puja is also a celebration of communal harmony and inclusiveness. Organisers and residents hope that people from different communities in the hill district will join the festivities.