Hundreds of Hindu devotees thronged Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission and Dhakeshwari National Temple for Kumari Puja yesterday.
The Goddess Durga is worshipped in various forms during the five-day Sharodiya Durgotsab and one of those forms is Kumari, the virgin form of the deity.
According to Ramkrishna, Divine Mother manifests herself more in Kumari, a pure-hearted girl.
Additional law enforcers have been deployed in all the temples to maintain law and order situation during the festival.
Mahaaustami Bihit Puja was held at about 9:00 am at all mandaps (marquees) across the country simultaneously yesterday. Later, Mohaprasad (sweets) along with anjali (flowers) was distributed among the devotees.
Kumari Puja began at Ramkrishna Mission in the morning. Brahmachari Debdeb Chaitanya conducted the puja.
Devotees of all ages offered flowers at the feet of the Kumari. Finally, Arati was performed. It is customary to offer the girl with gold, silver and clothes, which is considered as a pious act.
Ashtami Puja was also held in Dhakeswari Temple in the presence of thousands of devotees irrespective of ages.
Sandhi Puja was held last night at the 48-minute juncture time of Mahaaustami and Mahanabami.
The devotees observed fasting and recited hymns while attending the puja ceremonies at the mandaps and offered flowers to seek blessings from Durga, the saviour of mankind from all evils.
Bakshibazar, Shankharibazar, Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Ramna Kali Mandir, Dhakeshwari Mandir, Thataribazar, Ramkrishna Mission, Pranab Math, Siddheswari Kali Mandir were a few of the prominent mandaps that had been given decorative looks with colourful designs and lights.
The organisers also arranged cultural programmes on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Sahara Khatun yesterday visited several puja mandaps in the city to see the security measures taken for smooth holding of Durga Puja.
IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandakar, DG of Rab Mukhlesur Rahman and DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed, among others, accompanied the minister.
