Biplab Kr Dey
Tura, Oct 25: Garo Hills bid an emotional adieu to Goddess Durga with 116 puja committees across the 5 districts immersing idols of the Goddess in various river bodies. Tura, which had the largest number of puja pandals in the entire region, concluded its 4- day festival by immersing idols at the Bisarjan Ghat at Babupara.
The entire coordination of the various puja pandals across the region was overseen by the Central Puja Committee (Garo Hills chapter) with not even one incident being reported from any of the places where puja took place. This year saw the greatest number of pujas being held in Garo Hills with additions coming from many districts.
Durga Puja is the most celebrated festival of the Hindu community in the region and the celebrations this year reflected the same emotion.
“Durga Puja in Tura is an absolute emotion. Wherever we may be, once it’s time for Durga Puja, the yearning to be there cannot be expressed in words. It is this time that entire families get together wherever they may be. It’s that time when you have been around people that you have known your entire life,” said Tura resident, Rahul Gupta.
Yesterday, which was the last of this years’ celebration, began with a procession that moved through the entire town of Tura with the idols being brought in vehicles to make the last trip of the Goddess for this year. Devotees danced and sang through the entire procession with many turning emotional during the immersion. The wait for next year’s Pujas could not have been expressed more aptly.
The procession yesterday began from the Police Parade ground in the Tura Market area before snaking through most parts of the town. The entire town was present on the route to get a last glimpse of Goddess Durga through the route of the procession. The procession began at 1 PM with immersion being completed just a little after dark.
Speaking about the successful conduct of pujas this year, CPC secretary, Arup Nag thanked the district administration, the various police departments, Tura Municipal Board (TMB), the PHE, PWD along with other line departments who worked with them in ensuring a safe and successful Puja.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support and it was only due to the coordination of the administration and police that the Pujas passed without incident. Our special thanks to DC of WGH, Jagdish Chelani, ADC Dolrich BG Momin, OC of Tura PS and Dobasipara outpost for their help. Without the help of line departments including the PHE, PWD, TMB, MeECL, Tura Traffic and SDRF, things would have been difficult.
Puja festivities however are far from over for residents of Tura with the annual Dhak competition, which surprisingly was given the short shrift last year, to be held tomorrow. A packed house is expected at the Tura Parade ground from 5 PM tomorrow, Oct 26 with the 5 best puja pandal ‘dhakis’ performing. Tura MP, Agatha Sangma is expected to be the Chief Guest for the evening along with CPC president, Naba Bhattacharjee.
A cultural band from Tura with singers from Guwahati will perform in the program.
Earlier during the pujas, the CPC distributed new clothes to the needy and blankets to the cleaners of TMB supermarket at Tura.
“Every place has something unique that takes place during Durga Puja. For Tura, the Dashami procession is the hardest to replicate anywhere else. There is so much of bonhomie that you would think everyone is your friend. This spirit of celebration is something that we look forward to every year. Just can’t wait until next year’s Puja,” said CPC member and Tura resident, Sushanta Biswas.