Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka observed Sri Sri Durga Puja with due solemnity and spiritual fervour, from 25 September 2017 (Bodhan) to 30 September 2017 (Vijaya Dashami). As in previous years, a large pandal with a stage was made within the Math premises. The Math premises took a festive look with the colorful decoration by banners, festoons, flowers, garlands, etc. Bodhan, Amantran and Adhivas took place under the Vilva Tree at the left side of the temple, while the rest of the events took place on the stage at the pandel.
On the day of Mahashtami, people began to throng into the Math campus from the early morning to see Kumari Puja. About 15 thousand spectators of all faiths witnessed Kumari Puja which is one of the important events of Durga Puja at Ramakrishna Math. This year, Rupkatha Chakroborty of Dhaka was worshiped as Kumari Maa, she was 6 years old. The Sandhi Puja on that night was also attended by a good number of devotees.
Mr Md. Abdul Hamid, Hon’ble President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh visited the ashrama on 27 September 2017 evening. Dr. Sri Biren Sikder, Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and several other dignitaries also accompanied Hon’ble President. A reception function was arranged at the Math in honour of the Hon’ble president. Swami Dhruveshananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka received Hon’ble President with a floral bouquet, and made a short speech welcoming the Hon’ble President. Hon’ble President addressed the gathering and expressed Sharadiya Greetings to all. Health Minister Mr Md Nasim visited the Puja Mandap in the evening of Saptami. He also inaugurated a Dental Chair donated by the Ministry of Health to our Ramakrishna Mission Medical Service Centre, Dhaka. Dr. Samanta Lal Sen, Chief National Co-ordinator, for Plastic Surgery and All Burn Project, Bangladesh, was also present in the inauguration event, held at our Medical Service Centre. Hon’ble Health Minister and Dr. Sen addressed the devotees present at the Puja Pandel.
Mirza Abbas of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) visited the Puja Mandap in the evening of Saptami.
In the evening of Mahashtami, Mr. Md. Mokhleshur Rahman, Additional IGP, Mr. Ashaduzzaman Mia, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Mr. Farid Uddin, Deputy Commissioner, Wari Zone, Dhaka, and high officials of Police Department of Bangladesh visited the Puja Mandap. Later, on that evening, Major General Mr. Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Director General of Ansar & VDP, Mr Dilip Kumar Biswas, Deputy Director General of Ansar & VDP and high officials of Ansar Department visited the Puja Mandap.
Mr Sheikh Pasha Habib, Director General of Ansar & VDP, unveiled the covering of ‘Jnananjan’ a souvenir published by the students of Vivekananda Vidyarthi Bhavan on the occasion of Durga Puja. Srimat Swami Ameyanandaji Maharaj unveiled the covering of Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita published from Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka in the session when Director General of Ansar & VDP was present.
Mr Obaidul Quader, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Bridges visited the Puja Mandap in the evening of Navami. Many other dignitaries and political leaders also visited the pandel on different days of Puja.
Swami Dhruveshananda, as the Head of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka attended a reception function at Banga Bhavan (office of Hon’ble President) arranged for the selected people of Hinduism by the President on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami on 30 September 2017.
On the day of Dasami, immersion and Shantijal ceremony took place peacefully at 8:00 pm in the presence of a large number of devotees. Swami Ameyanandaji Maharaj and Swami Paradevanandaji Maharaj addressed the gathering narrating the significance of Vijaya Dashami, while Swami Dhruveshanandaji Maharaj expressed the greetings of Shuva Vijaya to all.
