Khulna, Oct 4 (UNB)-With a few days left for the Hindu community's largest religious festival Durga Puja, the last minute preparations are going on in full swing with painting and decorating the idols made by artisans at mandaps in Khulna.
 
This year, a total of 991 mandaps will host the festival in Khulna district, including 101 in the city itself. However, the local administration says that this number may increase.
 
The formal festivities will commence on Tuesday with the Mahashashthi rituals, and will end with the immersion of idols amid processions on Saturday next.
 
Ahead of the puja, shopping malls are bustling with devotees shopping for the celebrations.
 
Visiting several temples in the city, it was found that making idols is already over but now the artisans are painting and decorating them.
 
Chandra Shekhar Mandal, an artisan from Assasuni in Satkhira, said that this year there are fewer mandaps compared to previous years, which has resulted in a reduced workload for him.
 
"We've received orders for only four idols this year. We've started the clay work 10-15 days ago, and now we're in the painting phase," he said.
 
According to directives from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Religious Affairs, Ansar members will be on duty at every mandap throughout the festivities.
 
Joint forces, including the army, navy, coast guard, and police, will beef up patrols in the lead-up to and during the festival days.
 
Close-circuit cameras will be installed at the mandaps, and strict action will be taken against the spread of rumors or misinformation on social media.
 
Idol immersion will end by 7pm, and musical instruments will be off during the times of the Azan and prayers. A control room will remain open round the clock a day.
 
This year, of the 991 mandaps in Khulna, 101 are set in the city, 113 in Batiaghata, 214 in Dumuria, 107 in Terokhada, 155 in Paikgasa, 84 in Dakop, 63 in Dighalia, 34 in Phultala, 74 in Rupsa, and 46 in Koyra.
 
End/UNB/Corr/SU/F