Dhaka, 10 Oct (UNB) - Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, kicked off on Wednesday with vibrant celebrations at puja mandaps throughout Dhaka. As devotees gathered for Maha Saptami today, a significant day in the festival, mandaps are under a heightened security blanket to ensure the safety of visitors.
 
Sulekha Das, at Banani puja mandap, shared her excitement about the celebrations: "It feels wonderful to be here. Although the main rituals are in the evening, the energy is already palpable."
 
Dipto Bose and his wife expressed their delight at the atmosphere. "We're really enjoying the decorations and the festive spirit," they said. "With the security in place, we feel completely safe."
 
Police and security personnel are actively monitoring the festivities across Dhaka. "We are closely watching all events, and so far, everything is going smoothly," confirmed one officer on duty.
 
The Sri Sri Siddheswari Kali Mondir welcomed visitors like Rama and Dilip Bhattacharya, who had come from Adabor. "The security here and at Bashkhali puja mandap is good. We feel reassured," they commented.
 
However, not everyone feels at ease. One attendee shared her apprehension: "So far, things seem fine, but I still feel a bit anxious with all the heightened security."
 
Shekhar Saha, a member of the puja committee, acknowledged the concerns but remained optimistic. "Not every cloud brings a storm. The increased security measures are a precaution, and I'm confident the festival will continue smoothly," he stated.
 
Despite the precautions, some organizers noted a lower turnout compared to previous years. "The security is solid, but anxiety seems to be keeping some people away," said Rajiv Sharma, a publicity secretary for the event. "The crowd is definitely smaller."
 
Sub-inspector Mohammad Ashik from Ramna Police Station assured the public that security forces, including personnel from the NSI, DGFI, and BGB, are working together to prevent any disturbances. "We are committed to ensuring a safe environment for all. So far, there have been no issues," he said.
 
END/UNB/AJ/MB/KW