Gazipur the abode of the ancient Bhawal king never lags behind in organizing Durga Puja like the rest of the country. From the ancient times Joydevpur was one of the places of the followers of traditional religion. So in all their religious festivals and ceremonies, there was never a shortage. At present, idol artisans are busy making idols in temples on the occasion of Durgotsab in the midst of pandemic due to coronavirus (Covid-19) in Gazipur.
As the day of Durga Puja draws closer, the hurry and hustle of idol making artisans is increasing. However, the number of puja mandaps has decreased at a omparative rate in almost every Upazila. Only in Sreepur Upazila, the number of mandaps for Durga Puja remains unchanged.
This time Durga Puja is to be held in 334 pavilions in Gazipur district.
Of these, 16 are in Gazipur Sadar Upazila, 53 in Kapasia, 35 in Kaliganj, 50 in Sreepur, and 90 in Kaliakair Upazila. However, this time in Gazipur metropolis, puja will be celebrated in 8 pavilions but last year the number was 100. Last year, there were 22 pavilions in Gazipur Sadar Upazila, 129 in Kaliakair, 57 in Kapasia, 50 in Sreepur, and 48 in Kaliganj Upazila.
Meanwhile, the number of Durga Puja mandaps in Gazipur district has been reduced to 59 due to the pandemic of coronavirus. And the number of mandaps in the metropolis has decreased to 12. Meanwhile, the number of puja pandals in the district and metropolis has been reduced to 61.
Advocate Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Gazipur district, said that people had been unemployed for 5-6 months this year due to the coronavirus, making it difficult to pay tributes. He further said that the gifts given by the Prime Minister would be 500 kg of rice in each puja mandap. Due to the Corona situation, the materials required to make the idol are now more expensive than usual. So the remuneration of the craftsmen for making this idol has been increased. On the other hand, Prabin Sonoj Kumar Saha, who regularly performs puja at Shiv Bari Mandir and Joy Kali Mandir in the heart of Gazipur metropolis, said, "This time we will have prayers for Mother Durga to save us from the crisis of the world."
On the other hand, asked about this, he added that the initial work of making idols with straw and mud is nearing completion. Now Durga will be decorated with paint and brush strokes. Meanwhile, Advocate Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, Gazipur District President of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad, hopes that the puja will be celebrated in a peaceful, social distance and hygienic environment in the district and Vijaya Dashmi will be organized on a limited scale.