Numerous idols of Goddess Durga were on Monday immersed in the Yamuna at specially constructed bamboo enclosures set up for the first time by the Delhi Government to curb pollution. Idols were immersed at six points — Kudsia Ghat, Boat Club, Haathi Ghat, Mayur Vihar Phase I, Ram Ghat and Kalindi Kunj.
The celebratory mood of thousands of devotees, who were pausing midway to smear each other with colours and to dance, slowed down traffic movement. However, no major inconvenience was caused. Traffic was affected in areas like Wazirabad, Mayur Vihar, ISBT Kashmere Gate, parts of Ring Road and some areas in North Delhi.
The huge festive rush can be accorded to the fact that the national Capital had over 850 Durga Puja pandals set up this year. The multitude of the puja pandals in the city led to the dense crowd in and around the ghats in the Capital. “Depending upon the size of the community, a particular procession can have as many as 200 devotees to conduct the immersion of the idol. People generally express their high spirits during such occasions by dancing to the beats of the dhol all the way to the venue of immersion,” said
Subir Datta, General Secretary, Cooperative Ground Puja, Chittaranjan Park.
The grand immersion ceremony on the day only started post 2 pm in most parts of the city as married women resplendent in garad saris performed the vermilion ritual (sindoor khela) at various pandals before that. “The ceremony is performed to bid farewell to Ma Durga until next year. As the belief goes, Durga makes an annual visit during this time of the year and the festivities are meant to welcome her. On the last day, devotees bid farewell by performing the vermilion ceremony, which takes place before the immersion of idols. Married women perform the ritual enthusiastically as a symbol of love and happiness,” said Samir Banerjee, General Secretary, GK-II Durgotsav.