Amid the autumn Durga festival, the atmosphere of decoration and festivities is going on around Kotalipara in Gopalganj. According to the upazila administration sources, this year Durga Puja will be celebrated at 321 mandap in 11 unions and 1 municipality of Kotalipara upazila. Although Durga Puja will officially begin with Mahalaya on September 21, the main puja of Durga Puja will begin with the Bodhan, Intora and Abashira ceremony of Goddess Durga on September 28, after the conclusion of Mahalaya and the beginning of Devi Paksha. And the 5-day festival will end with the immersion of the idol on October 2 on Vijaya Dashami. This year, the maximum number of mandap will be held in Kalabari union of the upazila. The number of mandap in this union is 77. Besides, preparations for Durga Puja are underway in 50 Sadullapur, 57 Ramshil, 9 Bandhabari, 28 Radhaganj, 12 Kushla, 14 Hiran, 10 Amtali, 14 Shuagram, 14 Pinjuri, 20 in Kandi Union and 16 in the municipality. On a field trip around the upazila, it can be seen that craftsmen are busy making idols in each of the puja mandap. On Wednesday afternoon, it can be seen that the clay work of some puja mandap has been completed and painting work is underway at the Tarashi Roy Bari Public Durga Mandap, Ghaghar Bazar Public Durga Mandap, Parkona Public Durga Mandap, Devgram Public Durga Mandap and Rajapur Haldar Bari Durga Mandap. The clay work of some has been completed. The clay work of some mandap is nearing completion. Kotalipara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khandaker Hafizur Rahman said that the police have already inspected all the mandap in the upazila. Strict security will be ensured across the upazila on the occasion of Durga Puja. Overall preparations are underway to complete the autumn Durga Puja smoothly this year. Police members will be present at each mandap along with Ansar members. We are on alert to prevent any communal instability or deterioration of law and order on the occasion of the puja. Kotalipara Upazila Executive Officer Md. Masum Billah said that this year Durga Puja will be held in 321 mandap in the upazila. It is hoped that this year too, like every year, the autumn Durga Puja will be celebrated here peacefully and in a festive atmosphere. The mandap authorities have confirmed that each mandap will have its own CCTV camera system. A preparatory meeting for Durga Puja has already been completed with all the Durga Mandap authorities, law enforcement agencies and civil society. In order to make Durga Puja more festive, the best Mandap will be selected in each union and prizes will be given. In addition, 500 kg of government rice has been allocated for each Mandap.