Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has departed for Rangpur to visit Durga Puja mandaps outside Dhaka and extend greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.

He left Tejgaon Airport for Rangpur aboard a military aircraft around 9am on Tuesday (October 20). After landing at Saidpur Airport, he is scheduled to visit the Dharmasabha or Radha Gobinda Temple in Rangpur.

The prime minister’s Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumon, said Tarique Rahman would visit three districts across three divisions as part of his Durga Puja tour. After Rangpur, he will travel to Rajshahi and finally to Chattogram. During the visits, the prime minister will exchange greetings and pleasantries with worshippers and members of the Hindu community at the puja mandaps.

After completing his Rangpur visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive at Rajshahi’s Hazrat Shah Makhdum Airport and visit the Dharmasabha Temple around 1:30pm. He will then spend some time at Rajshahi Circuit House before addressing a public rally at the city’s historic Madrasa Ground at 3pm.

He will subsequently fly to Chattogram and visit the Durga Puja mandap at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj in the evening. After a brief rest at Chattogram Circuit House, he is scheduled to return to Dhaka at night.

Earlier on Sunday night, Tarique Rahman visited Durga Puja mandaps in Dhaka’s Mohakhali and Banani areas. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him.

Maha Navami, the ninth day of Durga Puja, is being celebrated on Tuesday. This year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja will conclude on Wednesday with the immersion of the idols.