CHATTOGRAM, Sept 18, 2022 (BSS) - All-out preparations have been completed to hold the five-day long Durga Puja, the biggest and sacred festival of the Bangalee Hindus from October 1 in the city as elsewhere in the district, with due religious fervor and enthusiasm.
Talking to BSS, President of Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parisad Shyamol Kumar Palit said over 2,314 Durga Puja mandaps including 252 in port city has been erected in all 14 upazilas of the district and 15 thanas of Chattogram City Corporation this year.
Artists and idol-makers, locally known as pauls, are passing busy time with making idols of the Goddess Durga, he said.
"Erection of idols of goddess Durga has also been completed but painting and polishing is continuing in the district," Palit said.
Beginning with the 'Shasthi Puja' from October 1, celebration of the festival will end on October 5 through Bijoya Dashami with immersion of the idols of goddess Durga, in the rivers and other water bodies, he added.
Talking to BSS, Lion Ashis Bhattacharja, President of Chattogram City Puja Udjapon Parishad said a total of 252 Puja Mandaps have been set up in Chattogram city by the Hindu community this year.
The devotees of whole city and district are getting ready to welcome the upcoming event with great eagerness, he said.
Sources of Power development board of Chattogram told BSS that the authority has taken initiatives to provide uninterrupted power supply to the puja mandaps so that the devotees could offer their puja prayers with proper religious rituals.
District police sources said stringent security measures will be taken for smooth holding of the puja all over the district and law enforcement agencies will be in place to ensure smooth celebration.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and district police will take a three-tier security arrangement at all 2,314 mandaps in city and Chattogram district for ensuring peaceful celebration of Durga Puja.
Over 3500 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to strengthen security measures for peaceful celebration of Durga Puja in the district, police sources said.
The CMP authority will also set up a control room to watch the law and order situation in all the Puja mandaps, said Krishno Pada Roy, Commissioner, of Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
Talking to the BSS, deputy commissioner (DC) Mohammad Mominur Rahman said all kinds of administrative steps will be taken to celebrate Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere.
Several vigilance teams headed by additional deputy commissioners and UNOs have already been formed to help the Hindu community to celebrate the festival in a befitting manner.
Control room will be opened at the office of the deputy commissioner here side by side with 14 upazila headquarters each to watch the law and order situation in all the Puja mandaps, the DC also said.