Mahalaya, an auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, is being celebrated at the dawn today through different rituals by Hindu community members across the country. (BSS Reports) With the beginning of 'Devipaksha', Mahalaya is observed six days before Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community. Usually, the Devi Paksha commences with Mahalaya Amavasya.  According to Hindu mythology, Mahalaya marks the last day of 'Krishnapaksha', which is a dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin. In the Indian state of West Bengal, Mahalaya is depicted in a show-tell manner, with songs, enactments and dances on regional television channels. The television show is also viewed by a lot of people specially children in Bangladesh at the dawn on the day of Mahalaya. The most popular rendition of it, however, has been in the sonorous recorded voice of legendary narrator and radio broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra, whose rendition of mantras from holy book Sri Sri Chandi along with songs performed by others called Mahishasura Mardini are played customarily at the dawn of Mahalaya day in every Bengali household mostly in West Bengal as well as in Bangladesh. Marking the day, special programmes of Mahalaya has been arranged at different temples across the country, including the capital, today at dawn. Hindus will remember and pay homage to their ancestors, who passed away, by performing puja, and offering the Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their name. Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee held a special programme marking the Mahalaya at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 6am. Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation held a programme to welcome Goddess Durga at 5.30am at Banani playground. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has attended the event as the chief guest. 

The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, marking the anniversary of the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM), will be observed across the country on September 28 with due religious solemnity. The day is a public holiday.   A press release said, The decision was taken at the National Moon Sighting Committee's meeting held at the Islamic Foundation (IF) Conference Room at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this evening with Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar in the chair.   The meeting informed that as the moon of Rabiul Awal of 1445 Hijri was not sighted in the sky of Bangladesh today, the holy month of Rabiul Awal will begin on September 17 (Sunday).   On this day in 570, the 12th of Rabiul Awal of the Hijri calendar, Prophet Muhammad (SM) was born in Makkah of Saudi Arabia with divine blessings and messages of peace for mankind. He also passed away on the same day.

The holy Hajj formalities have begun on Sunday, june 25. The main activities of Hajj started in the morning, with the journey from Mecca and Mina. The throwing stones at the largest of three columns known as Jamarat will mark the end of Hajj on the 12th of Dhuʻl-Hijjah. The last flight for Hajj departed from Bangladesh on Saturday midnight. Group Captain Muhammed Kamrul Islam, the executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, confirmed the matter that the final flight of Flynas Airline carrying the Hajj pilgrims has left for Jeddah. On Sunday, May 21, this year's Hajj pilgrimage began with the first Hajj flight of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The pilgrims are being transported by Biman Bangladesh, Saudia, and Flynas Airlines. Biman Bangladesh is carrying 61,151 pilgrims from Bangladesh, while the rest are being transported by Saudia and Flynas Airline. Biman Bangladesh Airline was operated the last Hajj flight on Thursday, june 22. The return Hajj flight of Biman will commence on Monday, July 03.

The holy Shab-e-Barat -- the night of blessings and forgiveness -- will be observed in Bangladesh tonight with befitting religious fervour. Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Sha'ban. Shab-e-Barat is regarded as a significant occasion during which Muslims pray to Allah and beg for forgiveness for their transgressions. It is thought to absolve them of their sins and bestow upon them good fortune for the entire year. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the Holy Quran, and also hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on using firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat. The 12-hour restriction will come into effect from 6pm this evening and remain in force till 6am the next day, DMP Commissioner Khandker Gulam Faruk said.  The ban was imposed to maintain the law and order in the capital and ensure the sanctity of Shab-e-Barat, he added. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the night.

The devout Muslims of Bangladesh will observe the Holy Shab-e-Meraj on Saturday night with proper religious dignity and solemnity. Like every year, 'Milad' and 'Dua Mahfil' will be held in every mosque in the country, including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. As the Shab-e-Meraj night is especially prestigious for devout Muslims. They spend their time at night through prayers.  Meanwhile, on the occasion of Holy Shab-e-Meraj, a discussion meeting and special prayers will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on the initiative of Islamic Foundation at 1:30 pm on Saturday. Islamic Foundation director general (additional secretary) Mohammad Bashirul Alam will be presided over the event. Md Abdul Quadir, the Chairman of Arabic Department of Dhaka University will be the speaker.  Shab-e-Meraj has a special importance in Islam, because through this, prayer (Namaz) the second pillar of Islam, i.e., is determined for Muslims, and the rules of five time daily prayers are specified.

Due to the pandemic Corona Virus throughout the world, Certain number of people got the opportunity to perform Hajj in the last three years.  However, since there is no such situation, there are no obstacles and rules. The cost of Hajj package has also been reduced compared to last year. According to Dr Amr bin Reda Al Maddah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj and Umrah Services, said that pilgrims will have the opportunity to perform Hajj this year at 30 percent less cost than last year. Al Maddah said that about 90 percent of the "Economic Hajj Package" has already been sold. He said that the local pilgrims from Saudi Arabia can pay for the Hajj package in three installments. Those interested in Hajj must pay 20% within 72 hours of registration to secure the place. The next 40 percent must be paid by January 29 and the remaining 40 percent by April 23.

One thousand 174 hajj devotees have returned to Bangladesh so far after performing the hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia this year. The number of the devotees calculated till Thursday 2 am. Bangladesh hajj office in Saudi Arabia delivered the information. Meanwhile, 16 pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia this year while performing their hajj. Of them 11 are male and five are female. Mentionable, this year 60 thousand 146 hajj passengers were permitted to perform hajj by the Saudi Arabian authority from the country. The passengers went to perform hajj boarding on 165 flights including hajj management persons and representatives. Of them 30 thousand 363 passengers went to KSA through Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights, 23 thousand 919 passengers went on Saudi Arabian Airlines flights and five thousand 864 passengers went there by another airliner. AH