Agartala, Oct 12, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Oct 12: While Agartala city buzzed with festive energy on Friday night as devotees came together to mark Maha Astami, immersion of idols has commenced after Dashami Puja on Saturday, marking end of the Sharadiya festival.

On Friday night, crowds flocked to pandals across the city, involving in rituals and cultural programmes in a festive mood. This year, Nabami Puja was also held on the second day of the festival and Dashami Puja was held on the third day- Saturday.

Several families were seen reaching the Dashami Ghat with idols for immersion soon after the Dashami Puja was held on Saturday. 

The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made elaborate arrangements at Dashami Ghat, ensuring the smooth and safe immersion of the idols. 

Mayor Dipak Majumder, who personally visited the Dashami Ghat to inspect final preparations, assured the public that all arrangements, including adequate lighting and workforce deployment, were in place for the immersion process.

Last year, a total of 370 idols were immersed at Dashami Ghat, and the city expects more numbers this year. 

The Mayor has also made a special appeal to puja organizers and clubs to refrain from using sound systems at Dashami Ghat during the immersion. Instead, he encouraged them towards dhak which will be arranged by the AMC to maintain the sanctity and cultural essence of the ritual.

The immersion process is not just about bidding farewell to Goddess Durga but also about preserving the tradition and spiritual atmosphere that defines this festival, Majumder said.

On the occasion of Dashami, women were seen taking part in the traditional Sindoor Khela at Durga Bari in Agartala, where they smeared vermillion on each other as a mark of joy and celebration. This ritual, performed before the immersion, symbolizes the strength and power of womanhood and serves as a joyous farewell to Goddess Durga.

With the meticulous arrangements and the cooperation of the public, Agartala prepares for another successful conclusion of the Durga Puja festival.