Autumn Durga Puja: Festive mood at Dhakeswari Temple

The wait is almost over, only two more days left. After that, Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Sanatan religions, is going to be officially celebrated. Dhakeshwari temple in the capital has been buzzing with anticipation of this festival which is going to start from October 9. After the invocation of the Goddess in the auspicious Mahalaya, now the preparations are going on in the Mandape-Mandape for the Goddess. The mood of the festival is felt in the hearts of the traditional people of all ages, starting from children and teenagers.

On Monday (October 07) a visit to the Dhakeshwari temple in the national temple premises of the capital showed such a picture of a festive atmosphere.

It has been seen on the ground that construction of pandal and stage is going on with in full swing right in front of the temple. The workers in charge of decoration are carrying out construction work with bamboo and wood at a constant speed. As if they don't even have a chance to catch their breath.

As soon as you enter the premises, under the building on the left side, there is a seating area for the puja committee and guests. The control room of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been built right next to it. Opposite to Police Control Room is Durga Puja Temple.

Pandal construction worker Habib told Barta24.com that we have no chance to rest now. The work must be completed by tomorrow. There is still much work to be done. Even if we wake up at night, we have to finish the work before Wednesday.

Stage construction workers told Barta24.com that various events will be held here during the puja. That is why the stage is being built here. Hope the work will be completed by today. But the work of putting clothes will not end today.

After the work of the idol of the temple, the idol is covered with a white cloth tied to the front grill. The devotees coming right in front of her have been divided into different sections by tying bamboo to ensure control and safety.

As soon as you enter the temple premises, under the building on the left side, the puja committee and the seating area for the guests have been arranged. The control room of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has been built right next to it. Opposite to Police Control Room is Durga Puja Temple.

Besides, a closed circuit camera or CC camera has also been installed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in the temple premises. Moreover, billboards with the words 'entire area controlled by CC cameras' were also seen at various places in the temple.

Basically, the law and order forces at all levels of the country have taken all kinds of initiatives to ensure a strong security system to prevent any kind of destructive activities in the worship of Sanatani.

As a result, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Police Md. Moinul Islam visited Dhakeshwari temple in the capital to ensure all security arrangements for the puja. After the visit on Monday (October 7) afternoon, he also said that if there is any attempt to disrupt the worship, he will be arrested immediately.

The IGP said that if anyone disturbs peace and order or conducts illegal activities, immediate and swift action will be taken.

He further said that our mobile team striking force and plainclothes personnel will be everywhere. Every puja mandap has volunteers along with discipline forces, Ansar forces. They are working 24 hours.

The IGP said, there is no scope for any kind of inactivity and chaos anywhere. We have strengthened cyber monitoring. Cyber patrolling is in place so that no one can spread false information, rumors and exaggeration using electronic media or social media. We wish to celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere and safety with everyone's cooperation.

He said, we have started the control room in the district upazila and headquarters. From where anyone can report news quickly. NTMC has also arranged them quickly.

Also, from tomorrow, Ansar members will start working in every puja mandap along with army, RAB and police. He also said that they will work round-the-clock in the security of the puja mandaps.

This year, the possible number of pavilions for Durga Puja across the country is 32 thousand 666. Out of this, 157 mandaps will be held in Dhaka South City and 88 in North City. However, this number is expected to increase. However, the number of puja mandaps being said is not the official or puja celebration council list. This is a possible list.

Last (September 10) Tuesday, a meeting was held at the Secretariat regarding the law and order situation of Durga Puja. At the end of the meeting, this information was given by the Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (Rtd)Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

In the meeting, he said that the law and order forces will provide round-the-clock security at the Puja mandaps, and it has been decided to maintain uninterrupted power supply during Durga Puja.

Adviser Jahangir Alam said, an important decision has been taken this time, that is to appoint volunteers. This year's volunteer recruitment will be a little different. Any citizen of Bangladesh will be recruited as a volunteer. These volunteers will be scheduled. For example, volunteer (a) from 1 am to 3 am, volunteer (b) from 3 am to 5 am. Their number shall be minimum three persons at night and two persons during the day. Measures will also be taken to resolve the traffic jam.

Meanwhile, Religion affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has also informed about increasing the allocation for the puja mandaps. In the conference, he said that the Chief Adviser has allocated Tk. four crore for Durga Puja. This money will be distributed to poor mandaps through District Administrators. 500 kg of rice was allotted for each puja mandap. Religion affairs ministry has recommended to increase it to 200 kg. more.