, October 19, 2026:

The eighth annual Kumari Puja was celebrated with deep religious devotion and spiritual solemnity on Monday morning at Sri Sri Sachi Angan Dham in Jaipur village under Bahubal Upazila of Habiganj district, Bangladesh. The sacred shrine is revered as the maternal home of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

This year, Abhaya Jyoti Chakraborty, an 11-year-old fifth-grade student, was worshipped as the divine embodiment of the virgin goddess under the sacred name Rudrani on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja's Mahashtami.

Abhaya Jyoti is the eldest daughter of Major Oloka Bhattacharjee and Alok Chakraborty, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Scouts. Her younger sister, Atula Chakraborty, was worshipped as a Kumari last year under the classical name Kubjika. The two girls are biological sisters from the same family, making their successive participation in the sacred tradition a distinctive feature of this year's observance.

A Spiritual Tradition Carrying a Message of Women's Dignity

In the Sanatan Hindu tradition, Kumari Puja represents reverence for feminine divinity, purity, motherhood and the creative power believed to sustain the universe. Beyond its religious significance, the observance also offers an opportunity to reflect on women's dignity, safety, equal rights and empowerment.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the shrine between 9:15 am and 10:15 am to offer prayers and seek blessings for peace, human welfare and the well-being of women. The ceremony conveyed a broader social message: true reverence for the divine feminine must be reflected in respect for women in everyday life and in efforts to build a society free from discrimination, oppression and gender-based violence.

Dignitaries Attend the Ceremony

Dr Satyakam Chakraborty, president of the Sri Sri Sachi Angan Management Committee, presided over the programme. Ashok Madhab Roy, former secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, attended as the chief guest, while Atin Dutta Chowdhury, a trustee of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, was present as a special guest.

Among other distinguished attendees were Dr Nibas Chandra Paul, chairman of the Sachi Angan Trustee Board; Kandarpa Banik Mihir, senior vice-president; Swapan Deb, president of the Annual Festival Celebration Committee; Biswanath Bhattacharjee, general secretary; Kajal Kar, president of the Rath Yatra Celebration Committee; Vishnu Deb Bishal, general secretary; Mohammad Ruhul Amin Talukdar, officer-in-charge of Bahubal Model Police Station; Freedom Fighter Sheikh Mohammad Firoz Mia, convener of Bahubal Muktijoddha Sangsad; and Paritosh Banik, general secretary of the Management Committee. Local Sanatan community leaders and devotees also attended.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Nibas Chandra Paul said the deeper value of religious traditions lies in their ability to nurture compassion, humanity and respect for others. He stressed that the ideals associated with Kumari Puja become meaningful when society ensures the dignity and safety of women.

Dr Satyakam Chakraborty said the worship serves as a reminder that women deserve love, respect and honour at every level of society, beginning within the family and extending to the wider world.

Sri Randhir Chakraborty, president of the Sri Sri Sachi Angan Puja Celebration Committee, and Subir Ranjan Deb, its general secretary, said the annual observance seeks to raise awareness about women's safety, dignity and empowerment while reinforcing opposition to gender-based violence.

Celebration Concludes Amid Spiritual Harmony

Following the completion of the rituals, organisers and guests exchanged Sharadiya Durga Puja greetings with devotees. The gathering transformed the premises of Sri Sri Sachi Angan Dham into a place of devotion, festive joy and spiritual harmony, with the worship of Rudrani highlighting the enduring connection between Sanatan religious traditions and the universal message of respect for womanhood.