Hindus across Bangladesh will celebrate Mahalaya, which heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, Sunday. Considered a ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga, Mahalaya is observed a week before Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of Bengali Hindus. Hindus believe the earth prepares itself and welcomes the coming of the Goddess and her children through the celebrations. Durga Puja will begin on October 1 on the day of Maha Shashthi. Special programmes of Mahalaya will be arranged at different temples across the country, including the capital, tomorrow. On this day, Hindus remember and pay homage to their deceased ancestors by performing worship services, and offering Brahmins clothes, food and sweets. Also read: Durga puja: A festival that unites Bangladesh!  

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus, has come to an end on Friday with the immersion of the Goddess Durga’s idols across the country in tight security. According to the beliefs of the Hindus, the goddess Durga has returned to her husband's house at Kailash in Devaloy (heaven) through immersion.

Imbued with the spirit of love and bonding, Durga Puja is not just a festival for the Bengali Hindus -- it's about their identity, wherever they are. In Bagerhat district, for instance, Durga Puja is in the air. Hectic preparations are on for the five-day festival, slated to begin Monday (October 11) with the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. The largest festival of the Hindus will culminate with the immersion of idols on October 15. As many as 633 'pandals' are being set up across the nine upazilas of the district -- Bagerhat Sadar, Kachua, Morelganj,Mongla, Sharankhola, Rampal, Fakirhat, Mollahat and Chitalmari. UNB on Wednesday visited some pandals in the district and found artisans busy giving final touches to the idols of Goddess Durga, her children and Mahishasura. Two such artisans, Tapan Pal and Tapas Pal of Kotalipara in Gopalganj district, told UNB that their profits have shrunk considerably this year due to the rise in prices of raw materials used for making idols of deities.  "Moreover, the organisers have also reduced their puja budget this year. The second wave of the pandemic and the consequent nationwide lockdown are to be blamed. We are struggling to meet our both ends meet," the duo said. Read Durga Puja ends with immersion of goddess on Bijoya Dashami

Hindus across Bangladesh are celebrating Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, on Wednesday. Considered as a ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga, Mahalaya is observed a week prior to Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. Read:Durga Puja: Covid crumbles market for Kurigram artisans Hindus believe the earth prepares itself and welcomes the coming of the Goddess and her children, through the celebrations. Durga Puja will begin on October 11 on the day of Maha Shashthi. On Mahalaya, the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has arranged special programmes at Dhakeshwari Temple. Read: Durga Puja: 23 tonnes of Hilsa sent to India through Benapole On this day, Hindus remember and pay homage to their deceased ancestors by performing a puja, and offering Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their names.