The Hindu community in Dhaka celebrated Kumari Puja on Monday after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Kumari Puja is performed each year to mark the Mahashtami of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.

The puja was performed at around 11am at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka. Six-year-old Debopriya Chakraborty Shrestha was decorated as the Kumari this year.

Two years ago, authorities declared that there will be no programs to celebrate Kumari Puja in Dhaka due to the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, some places outside the capital reportedly observed the puja. 

Additionally, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) instructed mandaps (pavilions) across the country to close at 9pm in 2020. 

The Goddess Durga is worshipped in various forms during the five-day Sharodiya Durgotsab. 

One of those is worshiping the virgin Goddess for blessings, and the banishment of evil in front of goddess Durga, with an unmarried young girl, symbolizing a living idol.

The religious festival is celebrated with puja, arti (hymn), recitation from scriptures, distribution of prasad (food offerings), and bhajans (devotional songs).

Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindus, started on Saturday, with the incarnation (bodhon) of the Goddess in temples across Bangladesh.

The five-day festival will culminate with the immersion of idols on Wednesday.

Mahashaptami Puja was held on Sunday, while Mahashtami Puja, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja are slated for Monday.

Mahanabami Puja is set to be held on Tuesday and Bijoya Dashami is on Wednesday.