Five-Day Durga Puja Holiday: Homebound Crowds Begin Leaving Dhaka from Monday Afternoon

Homebound people have begun leaving the capital Dhaka for the five-day holiday on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. From Monday afternoon, the day before the holiday begins, extra crowds of homebound passengers were seen at bus terminals, railway stations and launch terminals.

Just as members of the Hindu community are going home to share the joy of Puja with their families, many city residents are also heading home to spend a few days with relatives on this long break and out of a pull towards their roots. Leaving busy city life behind on this journey back to loved ones, some carry bags, others travel with family members and children — joy of the festival and the hope of returning home on every face.

With the weekly holiday added to the Puja holidays from 20 to 22 October, a continuous five-day break has been created from Tuesday (20 October) to Saturday (24 October). Taking this opportunity, many are leaving the capital for their village homes and relatives.

As a result, the movement of homebound people has increased at various public transport hubs in the capital even before the holiday begins. Many decided to leave on Monday itself, calculating that setting off early would let them spend the Puja days fully with relatives.

On Monday evening, Sadarghat Launch Terminal in the capital saw a larger presence of passengers than on other days. Among passengers of launches bound for Barisal and other parts of the southern region, there was a rush to get home.

People living in Dhaka for work are returning to their village homes on holiday to spend the Puja time with their families. For them, these few days are the fruit of a whole year's waiting.

Bhuban Chandra Roy, waiting for a Barisal-bound launch, said everyone at home is waiting. Being able to stay with his family during Puja is the greatest joy, he said, adding that his parents are waiting at the village home.

Extra passenger pressure was also seen at the Tisha Plus bus counter in the capital's Arambagh for Cumilla-bound buses. Joynal, working at the counter, said passenger pressure on Monday was much higher than on other days, and travel by homebound people on the occasion of Durga Puja has increased.

However, he said the previous fare is still being charged despite the extra pressure. No complaint of extra fare being taken from passengers had been received until Monday evening.

Meanwhile, extra passenger presence was also noticed at Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital. Bags in hand, family members and children in tow, preparations to catch trains — the whole station was busy with the rush to return home.

For followers of the Sanatan faith, Sharadiya Durga Puja is not limited to religious rituals alone; it is also an occasion to share joy with the whole family, meet relatives and spend time in familiar surroundings.

Many who live in the capital for work wait all year for such a holiday. Being beside their families for Puja preparations, spending time with parents, or the hope of returning to the familiar surroundings of childhood has heightened their joy of going home.

Passenger pressure is expected to increase further around the holiday, so advance preparation for travel on public transport is important. For now, the homebound are absorbed in this five-day break starting Tuesday — leaving the capital's bustle behind, their journey now points towards village homes and relatives.