Bhubaneswar, October 3: The Maa Durga immersion ceremony is underway in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as the Dussehra festivities reach their final stages. The celebrations will conclude on Friday night, with the cities bidding a heartfelt farewell to Goddess Durga. The streets have come alive with the rhythmic sound of conch shells, the beat of drums, and chants of ‘Jai Maa Durga’ as thousands of devotees prepare for the vibrant processions leading to the immersion of the idols.
In Cuttack, where the immersion ceremony is a grand cultural event, the processions began early in the morning. After completing the traditional ‘Sahi Parikrama’, the towering idols made their way through the city's major roads, including College Chhak, Ranihat, Mangalabag, Buxibazar, Darghabazar, and Choudhury Bazar, attracting large crowds of onlookers. By 3 am, sources reported that 12 idols had already been immersed at the historic Devigada ghat, where a temporary pond has been created this year to ensure an eco-friendly and smooth immersion process.
In a bid to maintain order during the massive public gathering, police have ramped up security, with additional support from central security forces. Traffic restrictions are in effect along the immersion routes, with diversions in place to manage the heavy flow of vehicles and devotees.
In Bhubaneswar, the festive atmosphere is equally vibrant, with idols from various neighborhoods being carried to the banks of the Kuakhai and Daya rivers for immersion. To minimize river pollution, the administration has established temporary ponds along the riverbanks for eco-friendly idol immersion.
While the festival serves as a ritual farewell to Goddess Durga, it also highlights the blend of art, devotion, and community spirit. For weeks, the Twin Cities have been adorned with colorful lights, grand pandals, and decorative gates. As the immersion takes place, the mood is a mixture of joy and sadness, celebrating the triumph of good over evil while bidding a poignant farewell to the Goddess.
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