Hindu devotees across Bangladesh worshipped young girls as embodiments of Goddess Durga on Monday, marking Maha Ashtami with the traditional Kumari Puja, a ritual celebrating the divine feminine and its power to create, preserve and destroy.
The ceremony was held at temples and puja mandaps across the country, where prepubescent girls were honoured as symbolic manifestations of the goddess. Devotees offered prayers and sought blessings for peace, prosperity and the well-being of their families and communities.
In the capital, Kumari Puja was held at Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in Gopibagh, where six-year-old Irya Chakraborty was worshipped as the Kumari under the ceremonial name Uma. Following the ritual, she offered blessings to devotees.
The observance reflects the Hindu belief that the primordial divine energy resides in feminine form. Kumari Puja is particularly associated with Maha Ashtami, one of the principal days of the annual Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.
At Ramakrishna Math and Mission centres, the tradition is rooted in the spiritual teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who worshipped his wife, Sarada Devi, as the Divine Mother. Swami Vivekananda also performed Kumari Puja at Belur Math, helping establish the ritual as part of the institution’s Durga Puja celebrations.
Beyond its religious significance, the practice is regarded as an expression of reverence for the divine feminine and a reminder of the dignity of human life and the importance of respecting women.
Meanwhile, Sandhi Puja was observed at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, marking the transition from Maha Ashtami to Maha Navami.
The ritual took place from 7:55am to 8:43am, covering the final 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami.
Devotees offered 108 lotus flowers and 108 bel leaves at the feet of the goddess, while 108 lamps were lit amid the sounds of traditional drums, bells and conch shells.
According to Hindu belief, Sandhi Puja commemorates the manifestation of Goddess Chamunda, who defeated the demons Chanda and Munda.
Devotees observe the ritual in the hope of securing the triumph of good over evil, as well as peace and prosperity.
Maha Ashtami is among the most significant days of Durga Puja, drawing devotees to temples for worship, floral offerings and other religious ceremonies.
The festivities will continue with Maha Navami on October 20, followed by Bijoya Dashami on October 21. The festival will conclude with the immersion of Durga idols, as devotees bid farewell to the goddess.
Kumari Puja remains a distinctive feature of the celebrations, underscoring the central place of feminine power and devotion in the Durga Puja tradition.