Drums and conches herald start of Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh

The sound of drums, ululation, conch shells and temple bells filled Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka as worshippers gathered to welcome the Goddess Durga. At 9:10am on Sunday, the ghot (a water-filled pot) was placed beneath a bel tree to mark the start of Shashthi Puja with Shodashopachar and Kalparambha rituals. Preparations had begun at dawn, with priests and volunteers arranging offerings and puja materials. With the Shashthi ceremony, the main formalities of Durga Puja, the largest annual festival of Bengali Hindus, officially began. The celebrations will end on Bijoya Dashami with the immersion of the idol. According to tradition, the goddess leaves her husband’s celestial home to spend time at her father’s house on earth. The unveiling of Durga’s...