Maha Ashtami, the third day of the six-day Sharadiya Durga Puja festival, was celebrated nationwide on Monday (October 19, 2026) with profound religious fervor, devotion, and festivity. Temples across the country, including the Dhakeshwari National Temple, hosted Maha Ashtami Kalparambha and Bihit Puja in the morning, where devotees offered anjali, received charanamrito, and partook in Maha Prasad. A key highlight of the day was Sandhi Puja, observed from 7:55 AM to 8:43 AM during the transitional phase between Ashtami and Navami to commemorate the slaying of demons Chanda and Munda by Goddess Chamunda.
Traditional Kumari Puja—where a young, unmarried pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as the living embodiment of the divine feminine and Goddess Durga—was performed at select temples, notably drawing large gatherings at the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka at 9:30 AM. According to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, a total of 33,851 puja mandaps have been set up nationwide this year—an increase of nearly 1,500 from last year—including 258 in the capital, with major vibrant attractions at Banani's Kamal Ataturk Park, Kalabagan, and Khamarbari. Festivities will continue with Maha Navami on Tuesday and conclude on Wednesday with Bijaya Dashami and the immersion of idols.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Special Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
