A Festival of Harmony on Cox's Bazar Beach: Durga Festival Ends With Immersion, Puja Held at 324 Mandaps in the District
To the sound of drums, ululation and devotees' excitement, people of all ages gathered at Laboni Point on Cox's Bazar beach. Some carried idols, others sang songs of farewell.
With thousands present regardless of religion or caste, the beach turned into a gathering of harmony. Amid joy, emotion and a festive mood, the Durga Puja formalities ended on Wednesday, Bijoya Dashami, with the immersion of idols.
Before that, on Tuesday, crowds of devotees and visitors thronged puja mandaps across Cox's Bazar for Mahanabami. Devotees offered anjali at the goddess's feet and received prasad.
After the evening arati, a mood of farewell began. The next day devotees bade farewell to Goddess Durga, bringing this year's Durga festival to a close.
On Wednesday afternoon, the pre-immersion programme at the beach's open stage, held with the help of the Cox's Bazar district administration, was chaired by Uday Shankar Pal Mithu, acting president of the district puja celebration committee.
The chief guest was State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin. Special guests included local MPs Lutfur Rahman Kajol and Shahjahan Chowdhury, reserved-seat MP Advocate Shamim Ara Swapna, Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan and Superintendent of Police Sajedur Rahman.
In his speech the state minister for land said the country is moving forward regardless of religion or caste under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, and today's bond of harmony is proof of that. In his words, under the present government, followers of the Hindu faith can celebrate their religious festivals without obstruction or fear.
Strict security surrounded the immersion. A multi-layered security cordon combined the army, police, Ansar, Coast Guard, fire service and lifeguards.
The final day of the Hindu community's festival became a universal celebration. Alongside Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians as well as ordinary tourists joined the colourful event.
Sanjay Sharma, who came from Ramu, said Mother Durga is a symbol of the destruction of misery and demons. They prayed that people's evil tendencies and unrest in society be removed and that a peaceful environment prevail in the country. Kanika Rani Dhar, from Ukhiya, wished for everyone to live in happiness and peace.
This year Durga Puja was held at 324 mandaps in Cox's Bazar district. Of them, 169 held ghat puja and 155 held idol puja. There were 37 mandaps in Ramu, 71 in Chakaria, 44 in Kutubdia and 31 in Cox's Bazar Sadar.
The autumn Durga Puja began on 16 October with Shashthi puja. After Saptami, Ashtami and Mahanabami, Bijoya Dashami was observed on Wednesday. The district puja celebration council's acting president said the programme was completed without any untoward incident.
