Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, was celebrated by the Hindu community in Bangladesh on Thursday with great reverence and enthusiasm. This religious festival marked the worship of Goddess Kali, alongside the lighting of earthen lamps at homes, temples, and crematoriums in memory of departed loved ones.
Kali Puja, often referred to as Deepabali or Diwali, is a festival of lights dedicated to the Goddess of strength, wisdom, and enlightenment. It is traditionally celebrated on the night of Amavasya in the Bengali calendar month of Kartik.
During the evening, members of the Hindu community illuminated their surroundings with earthen lamps (pradeep) and candles, honoring their ancestors.
In Dhaka, notable celebrations took place at several prominent locations, including the Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramkrishna Math and Mission, Ramna Kali Mandir, and the Postogola crematorium, as well as at the Biharilal Jeo Temple in Sutrapur, Gautam Mandir, Ramseeta Mandir, and Shibmandir at Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar, and Bangla Bazar.
The largest celebrations occurred in Shakhari Bazar and Tanti Bazar in the older part of the capital, where a festive atmosphere filled the air. Makeshift pandals were erected, and temples were lavishly decorated, creating a vibrant and joyous setting for the festival.