Sharidiya Durgotsava started with Shasthi Puja

The Dhaka Times Desk The biggest religious festival of Bengali Hindus, Sharadiya Durgotsava started today (Monday) morning with Shasthi Puja. The five-day festival will conclude on Friday with the dedication of idols on Vijaya Dashami.

According to the calendar, Goddess Durga is coming this time on a horse. Horse is a vehicle that is most used during war. The sound of horse's feet is also a sign of war. So according to the calendar, the meaning of arrival at Ghot is said to be dispersion. That is, there is a possibility of war, turmoil, conflict at this time. The calendar says that Maa Durga will move in swings this time. The result of swaying is plague.

According to Purana, King Suratha first started worshiping Goddess Durga. This worship of the goddess was called Basanti Puja as she organized the puja in the spring. However, Sri Ramachandra organized the worship of Devi on the new moon day of autumn before his journey to Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana. Which is better known as Autumn Durgotsava. That is why the autumn worship of the goddess is also called Akal Bodhan in Hinduism.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Durgotsava, the biggest festival of Hinduism, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted and congratulated the countrymen in separate messages.

This year Durgotsavam is being held in 32 thousand 118 Puja Mandapams across the country. There are 238 pujas in Dhaka city. Which is 4 more than last time.

Due to the corona virus, the puja celebration council has requested the devotees to avoid festival related matters and limit it to sattvik puja. It has been ordered to stop fairs, illuminations, cultural events, aarti competitions and avoid processions on Vijaya Dashami and sacrifice idols.

Things to do to prevent Corona virus

# stay at home all the time.
# Follow the rules and use mask when going out for emergency.
# three-layer cloth mask can be washed if desired.
# wash clothes after coming home from outside. Or hang it without shaking for at least four hours.
# Wash hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap or liquid before coming outside.
# plastic PPE or eyes, face, head must be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried after one use.
# Wear PPE made of cloth or clean as described.
# Use a head cap that completely covers the hair.
# Those who have sneeze cough should follow all the rules promulgated by the government. Also, wash hands as directed before and after handling food items, keys, switches, mice, remote controls, mobiles, watches, computer desks, TVs, etc. and after using the bathroom. Those who have dry hands use Moisture after washing their hands. Soap or hand liquid can be used. Why can this virus remain in the crackle (cracked part) of dry hands? Avoid using highly alkaline soaps or detergents.