Beyond the Bengalis: The many faces of Durga Puja in Bangladesh

When most people picture Durga Puja in Bangladesh, they imagine the grand pandals of Dhaka’s Kalabagan or the glittering idols at Dhakeshwari Temple, festivities steeped in Bengali Hindu tradition. But look beyond the mainstream, and you’ll find a far richer, more diverse celebration unfolding in villages, hills and riverbanks across the country. Durga Puja isn’t just a Bengali affair. In fact, at least 15 indigenous ethnic communities in Bangladesh, many of them small and often overlooked, observe the festival with their own rituals, rhythms and reverence. From the rinai-clad goddesses of the Tripura to the duck sacrifices of the Patra, Durga takes on many forms in this pluralistic landscape. “Durga isn’t just a goddess to us—she’s a symbol of power,...