Durga Puja in Bangladesh

Durga Puja (Bengali: দুর্গাপূজা, Bengali pronunciation: [d̪uɾɡapud͡ʒa] ^ⓘ) is one of the largest religious and cultural festivals and is among the principal festivals of the Hindu community of Bangladesh. In this festival, the goddess Durga is worshipped—she who is the destroyer of evil and the symbol of divine power. The Puja is usually celebrated during the Sharadiya Navaratri in the month of Ashwin (September–October) and continues for five days: Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami. In Bangladesh, Durga Puja is observed on a grand scale primarily in temples and puja mandaps. Idols of the goddess are installed in the mandaps, and daily rituals, worship, and cultural programs are held. On the day of Shashthi, the goddess is ceremonially invited, and on Dashami, the festival concludes with the immersion of the idols. On the day of immersion, devotees bid farewell to the goddess by immersing the idols in rivers or ponds.

Durga Puja is celebrated in every district of Bangladesh, but the grandeur of the festivities is most prominent in major cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Barisal. One of the most important religious festivals for followers of Hinduism, Durga Puja is observed not only by Hindus but also by various indigenous communities in Bangladesh, including the Tripuri, Hajong, Banai, Oraon, Mahato, Patra, Koch, Barman, Ganjhu, Dalu, and several others.

In 2021, the number of puja mandaps across the country was 32,118, which increased by 46 in 2022, bringing the total to 32,168. In 2023, the number of permanent and temporary puja mandaps nationwide reached 32,460. In 2024, the number decreased, and Sharadiya Durga Puja was held in 31,461 mandaps and temples.