Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The five-day Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, began on Saturday with 'Kalparambha' in the morning and 'Bodhon', 'Amantran' and 'Adhibas' of the Goddess Durga in the evening at all temples in Dhaka and elsewhere across the country.
Hundreds of Hindu devotees attired in new dresses thronged the temples and pandals in the city to witness the 'Abahan' and 'Bodhon' of the Goddess of strength, courage, peace, tranquillity and enlightenment on the first day of the festival marking 'Sashthi'.
Worshipping of the Goddess on the second day of the festival on the 'Mohasaptami' will commence early tomorrow, when recitation from the verses of the holy 'Chandi' will be held throughout the day.
The five-day festival will come to an end on the 'Biyoya Dashami' day on October 24 with the immersion of the idols of the Goddess at nearby rivers or any other water bodies.
Deputy Leader of the House and Awami League Presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, MP, formally inaugurated the puja pandal at Banani lighting earthen lamps (Mongal Prodeep) at 5:30 pm.
Devotional song sessions, distribution of clothes and Mohaprosad, 'Arati' competition and voluntary blood donation programs will be organized at other puja pandals in the city on the occasion.
BBN/SSR/AD-20Oct12-9:43 pm (BST)
