Durga Puja, the biggest annual religious festival of the Hindu community, begins on Monday across the country.

The Maha Shashthhi, the sixth day of the moon will be observed over the day. It’s the first chapter of the five-day religious extravaganza. It is believed that on the Maha Shashthhi Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto.

The `Bodhon` rituals include the unveiling of the face of the idol. Bodhon, Amontron and Adhibas are the important rituals of Shasthhi apart from Kalparambho – the ritual performed before the commencement of the Puja.

The Mohasaptami puja will be held on Tuesday, Mohashtami and Kumari Puja on Wednesday, and Mohanabami Puja and Bijoya Dashami on Thursday.

Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja when Hindus bid farewell to the Goddess and greet each other Bijaya or victory ends with immersion of the idols of goddess Durga in water bodies.

The Mohanabami and Bijoya Dashami this year falls on the same day, but immersion of idols will take place on Friday.

President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad in separate messages have greeted the Hindus on the occasion.

Thursday (Oct 22) is the public holiday on the occasion of Durga Puja.