The five-day Sharadiya Durga Puja festival has drawn to a close in Chattogram, with devotees bidding an emotional farewell to Goddess Durga through traditional idol immersion ceremonies.
As the celebrations give way to farewell rituals, devotees are praying for the goddess to return next year after dispelling evil and bringing peace, harmony and prosperity.
The immersion ceremonies began at Chattogram’s seaside locations at 3pm on Wednesday, October 21, with idols being immersed one after another.
At Patenga beach, devotees gathered to bid farewell to the goddess by applying oil and vermilion and offering betel leaves and sweets. People from different professions and walks of life joined the ceremonies, turning the beach into a gathering place for thousands.
Idols were brought to the immersion sites from various parts of Chattogram city. Arrangements were also made at several other locations, including Abhay Mitra Ghat, Kalurghat and Rani Rashmoni Ghat in North Kattali, in addition to Patenga.
According to traditional beliefs associated with this year’s Durga Puja, Goddess Durga arrived on Earth riding a horse and will return to Mount Kailash by boat.
In popular belief, the goddess’s arrival on horseback signifies social instability and change. Her departure by boat is traditionally associated with the possibility of rising water levels, excessive rainfall or flooding, as well as increased crop production, fertility and the fulfilment of wishes.
Officer-in-Charge of Patenga Police Station under Chattogram Metropolitan Police, Md Parvez, said members of the Hindu community were immersing the idols peacefully in the sea.
Additional police personnel were deployed at the beach and surrounding areas to ensure that the immersion ceremonies proceeded smoothly, he added.
