SHILLONG/TURA: Torrential rains could not dampen the spirit of Durga Puja revellers in both Shillong and Tura who came out in thousands on Saturday to take part in the immersion procession and thereafter in the immersion ceremony at Polo in the city and Babupara Bisharjan Ghat of the town.
Elsewhere in the State, the celebration passed off peacefully.
People thronged various puja pandals in parts of Shillong during the celebration.
The Central Puja Committee (CPC) organised the 6th Prasad Gupta Memorial Drum-Beat Competition (Indigenous) hosted by audit and accounts of Estate Durga Puja Committee which was held at Motinagar on September 28. Kyrmen and Group from Nongpiur village, who had just one male in the group, won the first prize.
The second prize bagged by Dathymmei – a group from Nongthymmai, and the third prize bagged by a group from Smit.
The trophy to the winner team was handed over by former Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope besides cash prize and medals.
The CPC also organised the 23rd S.K. DAS (Abu Das) Memorial Drum-Beat Competition hosted by Rilbong Durga Puja Committee on September 20.
In the group category the Rilbong Puja Committee bagged the first prize, 2nd prize was bagged by the Barapathar Puja Committee and the R & R Colony Puja Committee won the 3rd prize. In individual category; Biswajit Kinnar of Rilbong Puja Committee won the first prize, 2nd prize was won by Sahankar Kinnar of Kenches’ Trace Puja Committee and the 3rd prize was won by Mukul Kinnar of Barapathar Puja Committee.
On Saturday, though the immersion procession was delayed due to bad weather, it eventually started from the Tura Parade Ground where the idols of all the 24 pandals were taken for their final journey to be immersed. Due to incessant rains during the last few days, landslides and snapping of power lines occurred at many different places of the town.
Security was also beefed up by the West Garo Hills District Administration and other than rain playing spoilsport, there were no untoward incidents reported from any part of the district.Beldarpara Puja Pandal and the Milan Sangha Puja Pandal celebrated their silver jubilee and golden jubilee, respectively.
In other parts of Garo Hills, immersion of idols took place at different times as per the convenience of the Puja Pandal concerned. This year, there are around 110 Puja pandals in the entire Garo Hills.
CPC Garo Hills’ efforts, also helped to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of the festival.
A Dhak competition cum cultural programme will beorganise by the CPC on Monday at the Tura Parade Ground in which West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi including other officials will be present.
