বুধবার, ৩০ সেপ্টেম্বর ২০২৬, ০৬:১৬ অপরাহ্ন
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 30, 2026 (BSS) – Extensive preparations are underway across the city and district for the celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, with more than 2,485 puja mandaps expected to be set up this year.
Idol makers, artisans and puja organisers are working day and night to complete the idols, pandals and decorations ahead of the five-day festival, which will begin on October 17 with Maha Shashthi and conclude on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami.
The festive atmosphere has already gripped different parts of the city and district as artisans are busy giving final touches to idols of Goddess Durga and other deities, including Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya and Ganesha.
Idols are being crafted at several locations in the city, including Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Nitai-Gaur Bandhukunja Ashram, CRB seven-road intersection, Sadarghat Kalibari, Ghosh Bari, Hazari Lane, Dewanji Pukur Par and Chawkbazar.
At the Nitai-Gaur Bandhukunja Ashram, 86-year-old artist Tulsi Ranjan Pal said more than 50 Durga idols are being made this year.
An artisan from Halishahar said he learned idol-making from his father and has been working in the profession for nearly two decades.
“We began making the Durga idols just after Basanti Puja. Ten to 12 artisans are working day and night. Still, I am anxious about whether we will be able to complete and deliver all the idols on time,” he said.
Another artist Shubho Pal said,”In the past, we had to dry the idols in the sun. Now, even during bad weather, we can use gas heat to continue the work. The faces of the idols are made using moulds. Even so, the craftsmanship of the artists is still highly valued.”
Mangal Pal, 60, of Sadarghat, who has been involved in idol making for the past 40 years, said the prices of raw materials have increased significantly.
“The prices of bamboo, wood, straw, clay, paint, cloth and decorative materials have all gone up. Clay that used to cost Tk 10,000 now costs Tk 12,000.” he said.
At the CRB area, idols are taking shape while decoration work is progressing in full swing.
“Our preparations are almost complete. But I cannot disclose this year’s Puja theme yet. You will have to wait another week,” a worker at the venue told BSS.
According to religious leaders and organisers, the invocation of Goddess Durga will be observed on October 10 with Shubho Mahalaya. The main five-day festival will begin on October 17 with Maha Shashthi and conclude on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami, when the idols will be immersed.
The Chattogram District Puja Udjapan Parishad said more than 2,485 puja mandaps are expected to be set up across the district’s 16 upazilas and the city this year. A significant number of small-scale, home-based puja arrangements will also be held.
Former Parishad president Advocate Netai Prosad Ghosh said 292 mandaps would be set up in the 15 thanas under Chattogram City Corporation.
Law enforcement agencies have taken comprehensive security measures for the festival, including the installation of CCTV cameras at most temples and puja mandaps.
“Overall, preparations are in full swing for a successful and secure Durga Puja celebration,” said Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, additional commissioner (Crime and Administration) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP).
CMP sources said a three-tier security arrangement would be put in place at all 292 city mandaps, with more than 3,500 law enforcement personnel deployed to ensure security and maintain peace during the festival.
Immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami will take place at designated water bodies across Chattogram city and different upazilas of the district.
