Durga Puja ends with idol immersion in Ctg
Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community, culminated in Bijoya Dashami yesterday with the immersion of idols of the goddess Durga. In Chittagong, nearly 250 idols were immersed in the river Karnaphuli and Bay of Bengal at spots like Kalurghat, Southkattoli,Pathor Ghata Gongabari, Enayet Bazar Goal Para Pond and Patenga Sea Beach, which saw the highest number of immersions as usual. Nearly 150 idols of the puja mandaps of the port city were immersed at Patenga beach, which is the main immersion centre. Nearly one lakh Hindu devotees thronged the Patenga beach to see off the goddess this year, said Suman Debnath, general secretary of Chittagong City Puja Udjapon Parishad. The immersion process started from noon with idols of Durga and her children -- Laksmi, Sarashwati, Kartik and Ganesha -- being carried in trucks, along with Hindu devotees of all ages, to the immersion points. The parting ceremony was filled with unbridled dancing with the beat of drums and chanting of the goddess Durga's name. The dance continued until the immersion of the idols, which the devotees carried out with heavy heart and tearful eyes. Sanjay Majumder, a devotee from Gosaildanga Sarbojonin Puja Udjapon Parishad , waded his way back to shore after immersing Durga in the sea. He said, “We are sad that mother Durga is leaving us for a year after days of fanfare and festivities.” “I hope she returns next year with more joy and peace,” he said hopefully. Like Sanjay, it was a bittersweet experience for all Hindu devotees who came to the immersion points to witness the departure of the goddess Durga after days of fervent excitement and joy. Chittagong City Puja Udjapon Parishad, this year, has awarded 18 puja mandaps of the city in 18 different categories including the best puja mandap of the year, said Suman, the parishad's general secretary. This year Ekota Gosthi Puja Udjapon Parishad of Gosaildanga, South Nalapara Puja Udjapon Parishad and Hazari Goli Puja Udjapan Parishad were placed first, second and third respectively in the best puja mandap category, the general secretary said.
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