Maha Nabami Today: Festival Peaks Amid Rituals and Drumbeats, as Mandaps Prepare to Bid the Goddess Farewell
Today is Maha Nabami of the Sharodiya Durga festival. With sacrificial rituals and the beat of drums, the festival has reached its peak at mandaps across the country since morning. Yet alongside the joy of Nabami, there is also a note of farewell — because tomorrow, on Bijoya Dashami, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community will end with the immersion of the idols.
The day's formalities began in the morning with special pujas and yajnas at temples and mandaps. The puja premises have come alive with the sound of conch shells, the beat of drums and the fragrance of incense and lamps. Devotees and visitors have been thronging every mandap since morning.
Although Sharodiya Durga Puja is the festival closest to the hearts of the Bengali Hindu community, its spirit has spread among people of all faiths. Dressed in new clothes, thousands are moving from mandap to mandap with family members; the excitement of children and the prayers of elders together have created a unique picture of harmony.
A five-day government holiday is under way on the occasion of this year's puja. In the holiday mood, the festive spirit has spread from villages to cities, including the capital. The holidays are being spent visiting idols, chatting and enjoying festive food.
Joining the festive mood, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is touring three divisions today. He is visiting Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram with a programme of visiting puja mandaps and exchanging greetings on the occasion of Durga Puja. He was given a floral reception on reaching Saidpur airport in the morning; his schedule includes visiting the Radha Gobinda Temple in Rangpur and the Dharmasabha Temple in Rajshahi, as well as addressing a public rally at the Madrasa ground. Many see the Prime Minister's tour as a message of harmony during the festival.
Stars of the entertainment world have also joined the festival's joy. Dhallywood actress Mandira Chakrabarty shared photos of her puja attire and a heartfelt message of harmony on social media on the night of Ashtami (October 19).
Sometimes in a traditional pink Katan saree with a golden border and heavy gold jewellery, sometimes in a red-and-black look — she appeared smiling and devout before the goddess's idol. From another profile, she also posted photos of family moments while visiting mandaps.
Wishing everyone Sharodiya greetings, Mandira wrote: "Amid pure light, the sound of conch shells and the beat of drums, Mother Durga has arrived on earth once again. I offer millions of salutations at her feet. By her blessing, may all evil forces be erased from the world, may sorrow and suffering disappear, may all darkness end. May every heart be filled with love, peace, harmony and joy. May Mother Durga bring good health, prosperity and endless well-being into everyone's life. Joy Maa Durga! Happy Sharodiya." Her greeting message has been flooded with love from fans and well-wishers.
Special arrangements will continue at the mandaps throughout Nabami. As night falls, Dashami arrives — Mother Durga will depart with the ritual mirror immersion and the immersion of the idols. Devotees are spending today in preparation for that farewell and in the joy of the final moments.
All in all, this day of Maha Nabami is a wonderful blend of joy and melancholy — amid the festival's ultimate excitement, Hindu devotees are mentally preparing to bid farewell to their beloved goddess, while people of all faiths stand beside them sharing the joy.
