Prayagraj devotees bid emotional adieu to goddess; idols immersed
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Andawa pond in Jhunsi to bid adieu to the goddess by immersing the deity’s idols after five days of worship
Amidst the devotees chanting ‘Jai Durga mai ki jai’ and applying gulal on one another, idols of the goddess Durga were immersed at the pond in Andawa by various barwaris and Durga Puja committees on Tuesday.
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Andawa pond in Jhunsi to bid adieu to the goddess by immersing the deity’s idols after five days of worship. As in previous years, the district administration had made arrangements for idol immersion.
Starting from Tuesday noon, all roads leading to the pond witnessed the arrival of devotees, along with the vehicles carrying the idols. The administration permitted vehicles to approach from one road and exit from another route, effectively preventing traffic jams and ensuring better event management.
This year, there were smaller processions, with limited revelers reaching the immersion site. Different barwaris and samitis, while sprinkling gulal on each other and dancing to the beat of the Dhaki and Nagada drums, reached the immersion site.
The city’s Durga Puja idols this year displayed a variety of designs, ranging from wacky themes to traditional ones. Some were adorned with pearls, pulses, and leaves, while others featured the conventional clay idols, as well as those decorated with other items. Young boys and girls, along with seniors from the family, were seen dancing to popular tunes.
Approximately 400 small and large idols of the goddess Durga were immersed in the pond, accompanied by emotionally charged chants of “Bolo joi Durga mai ki,” echoing across the tranquil pond. The event unfolded peacefully, with adequate security provided by the local police and civil defense volunteers.
Under the vigilant eye of the district administration, the immersion proceeded smoothly. Elaborate arrangements had been made by the district administration for the immersion of Durga idols at the pond, including the construction of stairs using sandbags near the pond.
“After the completion of the immersion, our department will clean the pond over the next three days to ensure that no remnants are left unattended, thereby preventing harm to the local fauna,” shared a senior official from the irrigation department (flood control).