Hindus in Bangladesh have started their most important religious festival Durga Puja amidst a mood of celebration. Twenty two thousand Puja Mandap has been built up and in the wake of increasing militancy in Bangladesh , the government has taken special security measures to ensure a peaceful celebration of the festival. President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina have felicitated the members of the Hindu community.