The largest religious festival for the Hindus enters the third day today with thousands of devotees being expected to throng the puja mandaps (pavilion) to worship the mother goddess.
This is the most important day of Durga Puja, known as Durga Ashtami, as it celebrates the victory of the goddess over Mahishasura (the buffalo-demon from Hindu mythology).
Kumari Puja, Suvasini Puja and Dampat Puja are also performed on Durga Ashtami.
Today’s celebration marks the triumph of good over evil.
The goddess is bathed symbolically and dressed for the final battle. This happens just after dawn. It is believed that on this day Durga killed the demon. In old days, a buffalo was offered as sacrifice to the goddess. These days bananas, pumpkins and cucumbers replaced the animal.
Also known as Maha Ashtami or Veerashtami, the day holds special significance in the Hindus’ social and religious calendar, which comes after Maha Saptami.
On Maha Saptami, worshippers seek divine blessings through reciting hymns and offering flowers.
Devotees celebrated the day yesterday with elaborate rituals since early morning at about 28,000 mandaps across the country.
The spectacular puja mandaps with colourful idols of the goddess gave a festive look to cities, urban centres and even rural villages of Bangladesh as the Hindus make up 10 percent of the country’s total population.
-With The Daily Star input
