Twin city denizens bid adieu to Goddess Durga

Bhubaneswar: The immersion ceremony of Goddess Durga, locally known as ‘Bhasani Utsav’ began Wednesday 11:00am after Vijayadashami came to an end Tuesday marking the conclusion of Dasahara festivities.

Special temporary tankers have been made at designated places to immerse the idols of the Goddess to avoid pollution in rivers of both Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. While most idols of Cuttack will be immersed at three ponds set up near Devigada ghat, idols of Bhubaneswar will be immersed in the ponds on the banks of Daya river and Kuakhai river.

Organisers of all major puja pandals along with the police are leaving no stones unturned to ensure a smooth Bhasani. Residents of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are equally excited to get a glimpse of the clay idols of the Goddess one last time until next year.

Commissionerate police has announced elaborate route plans to avoid traffic congestion.

In Bhubaneswar, as many as 18 major processions will kick off from Saheed Nagar, 15 from Nayapalli and another 21 from North Bhubaneswar area by 6:00pm. The puja committees have been directed to reach respective spots by 5:00pm. No vehicle will be allowed to move between Vani Vihar and Janpath, Jaydev Vihar and CRP sqquare, Damana and Kalinga Hospital during idol immersion ceremony, an advisory issued by the police said.

Several puja committees have made elaborate music and dance programmes, cultural shows, and light and sound shows to entertain the public along the immersion ceremony routes.

Adequate security arrangements have also been made to avoid any untoward incident. As many as 30 platoons of police have been pressed into service to guard the Bhasani routes in Bhubaneswar. Overall, 40 temporary police outposts have been set up, 57 platoons of police force have been deployed and CCTV cameras along with drones have been pressed into service to a vigil on the crowd in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.