Jashore, Oct. 9 -- Preparations for Durga Puja are in full swing across Jashore, with artisans working day and night to give final touches to idols ahead of the Hindu community's biggest religious festival.

This year, the Chanchra Srihari Temple is drawing particular attention, where 101 idols based on different themes from the Mahabharata are being crafted at a single mandap.

The countdown to Durga Puja will begin with Mahalaya on Saturday. The five-day festival will formally begin on October 17 with Maha Shashthi and end on October 21 with Bijoya Dashami.

According to the District Puja Udjapan Parishad, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 737 mandaps across the district this year, an increase from previous years.

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