With the festive spirit filling the air, clay artisans are working tirelessly to shape images of the Goddess Durga on structures of straw, bamboo, and clay. Guided by the skillful touch of craftsmen, lifeless clay is gradually coming to life in preparation for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja, creating a noticeable surge of activity across various puja mandaps in Bishwanath Upazila, Sylhet. From early morning until late at night, artisans are busy mixing clay, sculpting forms, and painting intricate details on the idols' eyes, faces, and ornaments.
In the expatriate-dominated Bishwanath Upazila, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 26 mandaps this year. Visits to various venue sites across the upazila revealed that idol-making is actively underway in several mandaps, while others have commissioned their idols elsewhere. As the festival approaches, sculptors are focusing on adding final artistic touches to complete their creations.
Sunil Kanti Deb, President, and Kanu Ranjan Deb, General Secretary of the Bishwanath Upazila Puja Udjapan Parishad, confirmed that Sharadiya Durga Puja will be observed at 26 mandaps this year, comprising 23 public and 3 private mandaps. They expressed confidence that, with full cooperation from all communities, the festival will take place in a peaceful, festive, and harmonious environment, as in previous years.
Ranjit Bhattacharjee Ranju, priest of the Shri Shri Shani Temple in Purana Bazar, Bishwanath Municipal Town, stated that the auspicious Devi Paksha begins with Mahalaya on October 10. The main festivities will commence with Maha Shashthi on October 16 and conclude with the immersion of idols on October 21. This year, Goddess Durga arrives on a horse (ghotak) and departs for Kailash on a boat (nouka).
Vibhangshu Gun Vibhu, Executive Member of Sylhet District Puja Udjapan Parishad, expressed hope for a peaceful celebration and extended gratitude to the administration and local stakeholders for their support.
Among the 26 puja mandaps in the upazila, the 23 public mandaps are located in Lamakazi Union (4), Khajanchi Union (4), Rampasha Union (1), Alankari Union (1), Daulatpur Union (3), Bishwanath Municipality (4), Deokalas Union (2), and Dashghar Union (4). The 3 private mandaps are situated in Lamakazi Union (1), Bishwanath Union (1), and Alankari Union (1).
Bishwanath Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Jahid Bin Kashem stated that comprehensive security arrangements have been implemented to prevent any disruptions. Following discussions with the leadership of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, directives have been issued to maintain continuous surveillance through CCTV cameras and deployed volunteers. He added that given the historical absence of untoward incidents during the festival in Bishwanath, smooth and peaceful celebrations are anticipated this year as well.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Badrul Islam (Mohsin) Bishwanath Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
