Artists and craftsmen in Chattogram are spending busy days putting the final touches on the idols with paint and decorations. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 22, 2025 (BSS) - Extensive preparations are afoot with great enthusiasm and vigor to celebrate Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, in the city and district.

Puja organizers are busy making idols, constructing pandals, and decorating mandapas colorfully in their respective areas.

Artists and craftsmen are passing tiring days finishing the work on the idols with paints and decorations at the mandapas so that they can complete their duties before the formal beginning of Puja.

Now the idols are being given their final shape and are becoming more lifelike. Shuvo Mahalaya, which signals the start of the goddess Pakkha, was celebrated on Sunday. The rituals for the grand religious event of Sharadiya Durga Puja, dedicated to the goddess Durga, who symbolizes the destroyer of evil, have commenced with the invocation of the deity into the mortal world.

The Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parishad has announced that this year's festival will start on September 28 with Maha Shashthi and end on October 2 with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami.

Advocate Netai Proshad Goash, President of the Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parishad, told BSS that a total of 2,485 puja mandaps have been set up in 14 upazilas and in the city. The increased number of mandaps includes small-scale home-based puja arrangements.

The number of mandaps this year in 15 thanas under the Chattogram City Corporation is 292.

Durga Puja will kick off with the installation of Chandipath and Mangal Ghat in the pavilions of Mahalaya, accompanied by the sound of drums and conch shells to invoke the goddess. Some idols are in the final stages of preparation, with a few already being taken to the pavilions by the Puja Celebration Committee for installation.

Law enforcement agencies have made comprehensive security arrangements for the puja celebrations, including the installation of CCTV cameras in most of the places of worship and around the mandaps.

Tapan Pal, an idol artist from the Sadarghat Kalimandir area, mentioned that they began crafting idols four months ago, and they are now in the final stages with some finishing touches being added. The idols are priced between Tk 25,000 and Tk 150,000 each, and around 200 idols have been made this year to meet the demand not only in Chattogram but also in surrounding districts.

Bishwajit Pal, an artist from the Enayet Bazar Goalpara area of the city, mentioned, “We have completed the clay and color work and are now focusing on decorating the idols. Next, we will add jewelry and saris to them. This year, we have created idols for 14 puja pavilions.”

Supriya Majumdar Dolan, the General Secretary of the Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parishad, stated that the number of public pavilions in the district has increased by 19 mandaps, making the total number of mandaps 2,193 this year.

“We have been preparing for the puja for three months in advance. This year’s two-day puja holiday will help boost the atmosphere of festivity,” he said.

Overall, preparations are in full swing for a successful and secure Durga Puja celebration, he added.

Advocate Nikil Das, leader of the Chattogram City Puja Udjapon Parishad, said that the Hindu community in the city has established 292 puja mandaps this year. "Devotees are taking hectic preparations to welcome the festival, and artisans are busy crafting idols of Goddess Durga," he added.

“We have already met the Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, CMP Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner to discuss the upcoming Durgotsab as well as the smooth immersion of idols. All preparations for the puja celebration have been completed. We are looking forward to a beautiful and successful puja celebration,” he added.

To ensure a smooth celebration, the Power Development Board in Chattogram has taken steps to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply at all puja venues, enabling devotees to perform rituals without disruption.

“To ensure the safety and security of the Durga Puja celebrations, we have implemented various measures such as installing CCTV cameras, deploying our volunteers, and establishing a monitoring cell at the puja mandap,” he said.

“Additionally, we have received support from BNP leaders who have formed a team to assist us in providing security. We are grateful for the cooperation of the government and are confident that we will be able to successfully conduct the Durga Puja festivities in a peaceful manner.”

Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam Santo said a three-tier security plan is being implemented throughout the district with the deployment of law enforcement personnel consisting of police and Ansars around all puja mandaps. Most venues will also be equipped with CCTV surveillance for enhanced safety.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) confirmed that similar three-tier security measures will be in place across all 292 city mandaps, with more than 3,500 law enforcement personnel deployed to maintain law and order.

CMP and district police have decided to open separate central control rooms to monitor the situation during the festival.

Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom assured that the administration has finalized comprehensive preparations. The government has allocated 1,264.5 metric tons of rice to support the 2,485 mandaps in both the city and district. A dedicated control room will also be operational at the DC office during the festival.

She also said that vigilance teams led by Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have been formed to monitor the situation and ensure that the festival is celebrated with peace and religious fervor.