Press Release
17 October, 2026, 12:15 pm
Last modified: 17 October, 2026, 12:15 pm
A six-day Sharadotsav 1433 began yesterday at Kamal Ataturk Park in Banani, organised by the Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Foundation to spread the joy and harmony of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.
The festival was formally inaugurated on the evening of Maha Shashthi on 16 October, 2026 through the traditional rituals of Bodhon, Amantran, and Adhibas.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated the ceremony as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, Salahuddin said, "The laws and regulations of our country do not label anyone as a community. We are all citizens of Bangladesh, and everyone is entitled to equal rights."
Among others who spoke at the programme were Gulshan-Banani Puja Committee President Alok Saha and General Secretary Binoy Roy; Gulshan Society President Barrister Omar Sadat; ambassadors of various countries; high commissioners of foreign missions; and representatives of international organisations.
This year's Puja is themed "Jalaj". Prominent foundation members also attended the opening evening.
On the first day of the cultural programme, Rachel Paris and her troupe performed a dance routine, while vocalists Ranu Karmakar, Jayanta Acharya, Roksana Momtaz, and Biman Biswas rendered songs. The organisers expressed hope that hundreds of thousands of people, irrespective of religion or caste, will gather at the venue during this year's celebrations.