BANGLADESH, October 11, 2021 (TBS News): Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Bengali Hindu community, begins today with Maha Shasthi pujas at temples across the country amid festivity and religious fervour while maintaining health guidelines. The five-day long Durga Puja celebration will begin with the unveiling of the face of the Deity and Kalparambho on the day of Maha Sashthi and it will end on the 15th of October with the immersion of the statues. Maha Saptami puja will be performed on Tuesday, Maha Ashtami, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja on Wednesday and Maha Nabami Puja on Thursday. The Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion heralding the advent of goddess Durga, was celebrated on Wednesday. According to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, this year 32,118 puja mandapas have been set up across the country.
Durga Puja signifies the birth of Durga with the blessings of Gods, as a collective energy, to fight the demon king Mahishasura. Exquisitely crafted and decorated life-size clay statues of the Goddess Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up at temples and Durga Puja pandals. These statues are then worshiped for five days and immersed in the river on the fifth day. The puja is performed in temples, homes and in the public, featuring temporary stage decorations.
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