With Goddess Durga’s arrival approaching, a festive atmosphere has swept across Lalmohan upazila in Bhola. Idol-making has been completed at the mandaps, while final preparations are underway. The sound of traditional dhak drums and the colourful decorations have added to the excitement among members of the Hindu community as the upazila prepares to celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja.

This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 23 mandaps across the upazila, four more than last year.

Of these, two mandaps are in the municipal area, five in Kalma Union, four in Paschim Char Umed, two in Charbhuta Union, six in Lord Hardinge Union, two in Dhaligauranagar Union and two in Ramaganj Union.

The formalities of the Durga Puja festival began with Mahalaya on October 10. The main festivities will begin with Maha Shashthi on October 16 and conclude on October 20 with Bijoya Dashami, when the idols will be immersed. According to traditional Hindu beliefs, Goddess Durga will arrive on a horse and depart by boat this year.

Nirab Kumar De, president of the Upazila Puja Celebration Front, said there was considerable enthusiasm surrounding the festival. He added that the administration and law enforcement agencies had assured them of maximum cooperation to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Lalmohan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Sifat Bin Sadek said the authorities were giving special attention to security at every mandap. Instructions have been issued to install CCTV cameras, arrange generators and deploy volunteers at the venues.

Police and Ansar personnel will be deployed, while intelligence surveillance will also remain in place. In addition, 600 kilograms of rice have been allocated from government funds for each mandap.