Bangladesh Celebrates Religious Festivals with Peace and Army Support

Religious ceremonies for Maha Ashtami, Basanti Puja, and Punyasnan are being celebrated peacefully throughout various regions of Bangladesh, with the enthusiastic participation of thousands of devotees.

The Bangladesh Army is actively involved in ensuring security at puja mandaps, bathing ghats, and other significant religious locations across the country. This was confirmed in a statement released late Saturday by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The festival season commenced on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Langalband, Narayanganj, drawing millions of pilgrims from both within the country and from abroad. The Maha Ashtami Punyasnan festival, observed by the Hindu community, began at midnight and will continue for two days. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to participate in the punyasnan at 19 ghats in Langalband on Sunday.

Pilgrims from various countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, are anticipated to join in this holy bath. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims participated in the Ashtami bath held in the Brahmaputra River in Chilmari Upazila, Kurigram district.

The army is conducting continuous armed patrols and monitoring activities at key locations during these religious festivals. They are also providing round-the-clock assistance with traffic management through traffic control and check posts.

Maha Ashtami and Basanti Pujas were also observed at numerous puja halls across the country. The "Annual Maitree Mahimanvit Puja" is scheduled to take place on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Chittagong city, Ramu in Cox's Bazar, Nagarpur, Garail, and Bhuiyanpur upazilas of Tangail district, at the Sri Sri Barthi temple in Goura Nadi upazila of Barisal district, and Shyama Puja will be held at the Konabari Thakurbari temple in Nalchiti upazila of Jhalakati district.

Large crowds of devotees gathered at various mandaps in Comilla and Chandpur, as well as at the Durga Temple in Rayer Bazar for puja.

The army has increased patrols and surveillance in each puja mandap area, maintaining law and order. Dialogue meetings led by the army were held with puja committees and priests, fostering an atmosphere of trust.

The Bangladesh Army, as a symbol of religious harmony and national unity, has consistently provided security during the country's religious festivals. Their professionalism, promptness, and sincerity have earned the trust and gratitude of the Hindu community.