Chattogram Durga Puja venue focuses on ‘road safety protests’

A Durga Puja venue in Chattogram has used a variety of conceptual decorations to liven up the most significant religious festival for Bangalee Hindus.

In addition to depictions of Asura’s killing and images of power-seeking devas in Hindu mythology, several contemporary ideas were used, including a venue decorated on the theme of this year’s road safety protests.

But traditional idols and decorations were also available at other venues in the port city.

In some venues devotees have used various lights, sounds and stage decorations to celebrate the festival.

People began to crowd the puja venues on Monday. But some organisers completed the stage and light setting on Wednesday.  

Theme-based venues began to show off their decorations from the evening and the crowd rushed increased at night.

Crowds of devotees were seen standing in line for over an hour in the city’s Agrabad, Hazari Gali, Dokkhin Nala Para and Satish Babu Lane areas. 

A venue in Agrabad, organised by Ekata Puja Committee, drew much attention, as it had in previous years.

According to Hindu mythology the goddess Durga is welcomed to Earth by deities Brahma and Parvati on Durga Puja to commemorate her battle with the demon Mahishasura.

Tapos Das, a Hindu devotee from Chattogram, told bdnews24.com that the decorations are good this year, as they are every year. The presentation of the newer theme-based idols is also good, he said.

At Chattogram’s Gosaildanga, the organisers of the Baroari Durga Puja Committee have decorated the pavilion in the theme of road safety movement. It has become one of the most popular of the contemporary idols.

The display contains a mourning image of the victim’s mother and representations of the protests and rallies held by students, accompanied by Kazi Nazrum Islam’s song ‘Karar Oi Louha Kopat’.

Tradition pavilions drew attention at the port city’s Dewanjee Pukur Lane, Cheragi Pahar intersection, Kusum Kumari School and JM Sen Hall areas.

The largest crowds, however, could be seen in front of the mask-themed venue at the capital’s Hazari Goli Durga Puja pavilion.

“We want to focus on different themes at every year’s Durga Puja. This year it is a symbolic representation of Asuras (demons) from behind the masks. The people have responded to the idea” says Lal Hazari, councillor of Hazari Gali.

Awami League Central Organising Secretary Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel has exchanged greetings with devotees after visiting Hazari Gali on Wednesday night. Most of the Awami League leaders are visiting the puja venues ahead of upcoming national elections.