Dhaka, Oct. 20 -- The typically congested Dhaka roads are clearing out as many city residents are headed to their ancestral homes to spend the long Durga Puja holidays with their families. In place of the regular traffic jams in Dhaka, bus terminals and railway stations were teeming with holiday travellers.

The government has announced three public holidays for the puja. Combined with the weekend, it makes for a five-day break. Many residents left Dhaka after work on Monday, while others set off on Tuesday.

Many students and their parents left the capital early as educational institutions closed for a combined 10 consecutive days for the puja and weekend holidays.

The absence of traffic jams led to travellers making comfortable trips t...