Shyama Puja and Diwali today, last-minute preparations under way at temples

Shyama Puja and Diwali, the second largest religious festival of the Hindu community, are being observed today. The puja is held every year on the new moon day of the month of Kartik. On this occasion, last-minute preparations are under way at various temples and puja mandaps across the country.

Along with arrangements for puja at home, Hindu devotees will celebrate the festival in the evening by lighting lamps and with illuminations.

According to Hindu mythology, the goddess Kali is a powerful form of Durga. She is known to devotees by various names, including Shyama, Adya Ma, Tara Ma, Chamundi, Bhadrakali and Mahamaya. Kali Puja is essentially the worship of power. The destruction of evil forces and the establishment of goodness and welfare are the main significance of this puja.

According to the almanac, the new moon tithi begins at 1:02 pm on Sunday (8 November) and ends at 11:58 am on Monday (9 November). Kali Puja is usually completed at midnight with chanting of mantras and special rituals.

Diwali has a special connection with Kali Puja. On this evening, Hindu devotees light lamps at home and at cremation grounds to remember their departed parents, relatives and ancestors. Spreading the message of goodness and welfare through light, dispelling darkness, is the main theme of Diwali.

While Bengali Hindus know it as Deepavali, many non-Bengali Hindu communities call the festival Diwali.

Like Durga Puja, in Shyama Puja the goddess is worshipped by making clay idols in mandaps or at home. Apart from that, puja is also held before stone or metal idols installed in temples and houses.

According to popular belief, Kali is the presiding goddess of the cremation ground. For this reason, special Shmashan Kali Puja is also held at cremation grounds in different parts of the country.

In the capital, puja has been arranged at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramna Temple, Ramakrishna Mission and Math, Siddheshwari Kali Temple, Rayerbazar Temple, Baradeshwari Kalimata Temple in Sabujbagh, Radhagobinda Jiu Thakur Temple in old Dhaka, and Postogola cremation ground on the occasion of Shyama Puja and Diwali. Apart from these, the festival will be celebrated with religious rituals and illuminations at various temples and puja mandaps, including Tantibazar, Shankharibazar and Banglabazar.