Jagannath Hall aims to surpass 19-foot US idol, lays foundation stone for world’s largest Saraswati idol
Photo: Collected
An initiative has been taken at Dhaka University’s (DU) Jagannath Hall to build the world’s largest Saraswati idol.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam laid the foundation stone of the idol on the premises of the hall’s Rabindra Bhaban at around 8:30pm on Sunday. The organisers hope that, once completed, it will be recognised as the world’s largest Saraswati idol.
Speaking at the event, Jagannath Hall Provost Professor Debashish Paul said he had never before in his life seen such a peaceful Durga Puja. He expressed gratitude to the current Prime Minister for enabling the festival to be celebrated smoothly and safely.
Outlining the plan to build the idol, the provost said there is a 19-foot-tall Saraswati idol in the United States; once the Jagannath Hall idol is completed, it will be the largest in the world. To that end, the Guinness World Records authorities have been invited to witness the Saraswati Puja.
He added that not only India but nowhere else in the world hosts such a large number of Saraswati Puja celebrations; it is possible in Bangladesh.
The vice-chancellor said Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of learning, knowledge, music and the arts. But merely obtaining GPA-5 cannot be called true prosperity; alongside it, one must also be educated in ethics.
He said, ‘We are all Bangladeshis; this country belongs not only to Muslims or Hindus, but to everyone. We want to build a Bangladesh free of communal conflict, where everyone can speak with equal rights and live as enlightened citizens.’
Background
According to a Desh Rupantor report of 23 January 2026, worship was held at 76 mandaps at DU during that year’s Saraswati Puja; as every year, the Faculty of Fine Arts made an eye-catching idol to be placed in the middle of the Jagannath Hall pond.
Sources
Original report: BSS
Background sources: Desh Rupantor, 23 January 2026
