SHILLONG/TURA/JOWAI, Oct 13: Colours, drum beats, cymbals, pipe instruments, and dance filled the streets of Shillong as the idols from various pandals made their way to the immersion ghat marking the end of the peaceful Durga Puja celebrations in the state this year.
The immersion drew a large number of participants bidding farewell to the goddess. The males associated with the puja pandals wore dresses of specific colours while the females mostly stuck to the traditional sarees.
There were 251 Durga Puja pandals affiliated with the Central Puja Committee (CPC) in the state barring those organised privately, by the Army and the police.
The decoration of each pandal carried a theme and highlighted issues such as women’s empowerment, safeguarding the environment, and saving the bees.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the Dandiya dance organised at various pandals. Young and old actively took part in the dance dressed in their festive best.
The puja this time was quieter than before with infrequent drumbeats and fewer street vendors selling savoury items but musical concerts, cultural shows and activities kept people engaged.
The festive revellers and the devout were overcome by emotions as it was time for Goddess Durga to leave the pandal for the immersion ghat.
CPC general secretary JL Das said the committee ensured no environmental damage during the festival. He added the Wahumkhrah was cleaned before the immersion and would be cleaned after it.
“The idols were chemical and plastic-free and biodegradable,” he said.
The Laban and Rilbong Sector began its immersion at 12:30 p.m. Home to many Puja pandals, this sector was divided into two parts for clarity.
Laban (A) includes Madan Laban, Lumparing, and Harisabha, while Laban (B) covers Rilbong, Laban Namghar, Hatath Colony, and Kench’s Trace.
Similarly, the immersion for the Rynjah Sector was scheduled at 1 p.m., encompassing prominent puja sites such as RR Colony, MES Durga Puja, CWE Complex, and SE Falls.
The Sadar and Keating Road Sector began its procession at 2 p.m., covering neighbourhoods such as Keating Road, Oakland, Jail Road, Barik, Pynthorumkhrah, Forest Colony, Polo, Lower Jail Road, and Nongmensong.
Laitumkhrah’s immersion was scheduled for 10 a.m. Garikhana’s started at 10:30 a.m. and Lumdiengjri’s at 11 a.m. This sector covers neighbourhoods such as Paltan Bazaar, Luckier Road, Qualapatty, Lower Mawprem, Harijan Colony, Punjabi Lane, Mawbah, and Jhalupara.
Adequate security arrangements were also made.
Garo Hills bids tearful adieu
Garo Hills too bid an emotional adieu to Goddess Durga with 120 puja committees from 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 (32), concluded its four-day merriment by immersing idols at the Bisarjan Ghat at Babupara.
The coordination of the four-day event between the various puja pandals across the region was overseen by the Central Puja Committee (Garo Hills), and the festival went incident free for the duration of the puja.
This year saw the most number of pujas being held in Garo Hills with additions coming from many districts, with four more new Pujas being held across the five districts.
“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 and celebrate togetherness,” said Rahul Gupta, a resident of Tura.
Sunday, which was the last day of the four-day celebration (Dashami), 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 entire route from the starting point to the Bisarjan Ghat was packed to the rafters with the procession beginning early to ensure timely completion.
The procession began from the Police Parade ground in the Tura Market area before snaking through most parts of the town. 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 police department, Tura Municipal Board (TMB), the PHE, PWD along with other line departments which 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 the Deputy Commissioner of WGH, Jagdish Chelani, ADC Dolrich BG Momin, Officer-in-Charge of Tura police station and Dobasipara outpost for their help. Without the help of line departments including the PHE, PWD, TMB, MeECL, Tura traffic branch and SDRF, things would have been difficult,” said the CPC Garo Hills secretary.
“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.
This year’s Pujas faced a major hurdle with the weather just prior to the Pujas being a major cause for concern. Further, the calamitous situation in Dalu and Gasuapara, with 14 lives being lost in torrential flooding, created a somber mood in the celebrations.
The CPC, however, did its bit to try and bring some cheer to those affected as well as those it could manage to touch through its various affiliations. It has continued its efforts at helping those aggrieved in the devastation caused by nature. “We will continue to do our bit to help those in need and urge everyone to come forward and join in helping. Many still need help as their houses have been completely washed away. We hope and pray they get back to their normal lives soon and we will continue to make efforts in that direction,” added Nag.
On another note, Puja festivities are far from over for residents of Tura with the annual Dhak competition to be held on October 17. A packed house is expected at the Tura Parade ground with the 5 best puja pandal ‘dhakis’ performing to win the competition to adjudge the best Puja group.
Jaintia Hills region joins rest
In the Jaintia Hills region, Jowai witnessed a conclusion of pujas filled with merriment and contentment.
Ahead of the immersion of idols in Myntdu river on Sunday, all ceremonies were solemnised at Shiv Mandir. District administration officials escorted the immersion parade comprsing a horde of devotees who shouted joyous slogans of victory against evil.
The festival also concluded in other places of West Jaintia Hills district such as Nartiang and Muktapur as well Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills district.
