GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - People today came out in large numbers to seek blessings from Goddess Durga on the day of Bijoya Dashami across the State and also to take part in the immersion ceremony with great enthusiasm.
The festive mood that had begun with Mahalaya reached its crescendo during the Mahashtami and Mahanavami celebrations, and today, on the concluding day of the festival, people thronged the streets to have a last glimpse of the Goddess before the immersion.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place across the State to ensure a peaceful immersion ceremony.
Devotees today went to the pandals and exchanged sweets, sindoor, etc., and sought the blessings of the Goddess for elimination of all evils from personal and public life.
On the other hand, the annual Vijayadashami Mahotsav celebrated by the Asom Vijayadashami Mahotsava Samity was also held at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati and the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad were burnt, symbolising victory of good over evil.
One of the biggest festivals, Durga Puja was celebrated this year with a lot of fanfare across the State. The puja pandals with thematic decorations attracted devotees in thousands and some puja committees came up with most innovative ideas to celebrate the auspicious occasion this time. The festive mood gripped the State with people cutting across caste, creed, community and language joining hands to observe the festival. This festival has always succeeded in building a bridge of amity and unity among various communities.
In the capital city, too, elaborate arrangements were made for the puja celebrations. The rush of devotees was witnessed since early morning at all the pandals and temples dedicated to the Goddess.
On all the days of the festival, Guwahati resembled a sea of humanity as people hopped from one pandal to another. Most of the puja committees in Guwahati came up with various innovative ideas to deck up their pandals and the themes ranged from rhino poaching to women empowerment to global warming.
The evenings were marked with cultural functions and other programmes. Various contests were also organised by the puja committees as part of the celebrations.
The festival also provided an opportunity to people of all ages to flaunt their new attires bought especially to mark the occasion. Amid the sounds of hymns, drums and cymbals, the city came alive with spiritualism during the festival.
