Rajshahi, Sept 24 (V7N) – Preparations are in full swing across Rajshahi as artisans work day and night to complete idols ahead of this year’s Durga Puja, which will be celebrated in 535 mandaps across the district and city. Authorities have announced extensive security arrangements to ensure the festival is held peacefully and festively.
 
A visit to several mandaps revealed artisans busy applying clay, polishing, and preparing colors for the idols. In Rajshahi city’s Gankapara area, craftsmen Baidyanath Pal and Porlad Pal were seen working with their teams, while laborers applied mud and polished the figures.
 
Chiranjeet Roy, one of the artisans, said the clay work was completed and final design checks were underway. “Once any flaws are corrected, the coloring begins, which takes about two days per idol. The workload is heavy, so we are working day and night,” he explained. Another artisan, Kartik Kumar, noted that they received 25 orders this year, with costs rising by Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000 per idol compared to last year. Work had to begin three months ago to meet deadlines.
 
Law enforcement agencies have confirmed maximum vigilance during the celebrations. Police, Ansar personnel, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be deployed at every mandap, while important sites will be equipped with CCTV cameras. Volunteers will also be engaged to assist with crowd management.
 
In Rajshahi city alone, 80 mandaps will host Durga Puja this year—58 under Boalia police station and 22 across other stations. At least five major idol-making sites have been identified, with each mandap assigned six Ansar members and three police officers for round-the-clock duty.
 
Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front said multiple coordination meetings have been held with district administration, police commissioners, and local political leaders. General Secretary Ashok Kumar Saha expressed confidence that this year’s puja will be more festive than ever, while District General Secretary Santu Saha confirmed that all nine upazilas will hold puja in 455 mandaps, each receiving 500 kilograms of government-allocated rice.
 
BNP National Executive Committee member Debashish Roy Madhu said the government has allocated Tk 50 million nationwide for puja mandaps, with Rajshahi also receiving significant security and logistical support. He added that discussions with the Home Adviser ensured a peaceful observance nationwide.
 
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Md Gaziur Rahman assured that “foolproof security measures” were in place, including plainclothes officers and heightened patrols. “So far, there are no concerns of untoward incidents,” he said.
 
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