Durga Puja: No Kumari Puja this year in Dhaka, mandaps to close at 9pm

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no programmes to celebrate the Kumari Puja in Dhaka as part of this year’s Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus.

Additionally, mandaps (pavilions) across the country will be closed every day during the puja at 9pm, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) announced on Saturday.

However, no decision has been taken yet on the rituals of the Bijoya Dashami, which involves mass gatherings and rallies, BPUP President Milon Kanti Dutta said during a media call at the Dhakeshwari temple. 

He said Kumari Puja is usually held on the eighth day of Durga Puja at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka. But there will be no Kumari Puja this year considering the coronavirus situation in Dhaka. However, it may take place in one or two areas outside Dhaka.

Also Read - DMP: Celebrate Durga Puja following health safety rules

Responding to a query, Dutta said: "We have not yet decided on the Sindoor Khela ritual of Bijoya Dashami celebrations."

Hindu women play with red colour, known as ‘Sindoor Khela’ as part of the last day of the 10-day puja celebrations.  ‘Sindoor’ means red vermillion and ‘Khela’ refers to play. It involves a gathering of people, which amid the Covid-19 pandemic, raises the risk of contagion.

On the other hand, Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee, general secretary of the council, said that in addition to the 26-point directive on celebrating Durga Puja sent to the puja celebration committees across the country, seven more directives have also been sent.

It was said that the temples or puja pavilions will have to be closed for the visitors by 9 pm.