Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, The chal samaroh of Shri Hindu Utsav Samiti was taken out with fervor. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Hindu Utsav Samiti former president Kailash Begwani in the presence of invited senior citizens and social workers. The worship of Ma Aadishakti was performed. Eye-catching Ma Durga pandals were taken out for immersion from all over the city.
The samaroh started from Nadra Bus Stand Chouraha where the pandals from different places in the city converged and the procession was taken out. The procession passed through Ghoda Nakkas, Janakpuri, Sindhi Market, Moti Masjid, Kamla Park, Prempura Ghat, Janakpuri and other places. Functionaries of the utsav samitis and devotees danced to the beating of drums.
After almost nine days Durga Puja festivities, immersion of idols in Bhopal and other parts of the State started on Saturday. Women dressed in white and red sarees applied vermilion or ‘Sindoor’ on the forehead and feet of the Goddess and fed her sweets and betel leaves or ‘paan’ and participated in ‘Sindoor Khela’ — playfully smearing the vermilion on one another’s face – as the last round of celebration before the immersion of the idol.
The bank of the Lower Lake, Hathaikheda Dam and Prempura Ghat wore a festive look, with community puja organisers coming in colourful processions to immerse idols of the goddess and her four children – Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartik, as the traditional drums playing pensive immersion beats.
A number of idols from household and apartment complex pujas were also immersed. While elderly devotees offered their last prayers, excited youngsters, dressed in new cloths, clicked selfies with the idols before the immersion to capture the memorable occasion.
Immersion at three places
The immersion of Ma Durga pandals began at Prempura Ghat, Lower Lake and Hathaikheda started on Saturday morning and continued till late in the night. The immersion ceremony symbolises the end of the goddess’s annual sojourn to her paternal home and she returns to her husband Lord Shiva at their heavenly abode in Mount Kailash.
Mobile pandals were centre of attraction
Many mobile pandals were the centre of attraction that carried message on social issues like save girl child, patriotism etc. The tableaux aimed to make people aware on various social issues.
Elaborate immersion arrangements
Elaborate arrangements were made at ghats on the lake banks for immersion, which will continue till October 23.Community pujas were organised all over the city. Scrambling to touch her feet one last time for this year, men, women and children, bade goodbye to their beloved mother goddess and wished each other well for the rest of the year.
Effect of Model Code
There was effect of Model Code of Conduct on the chal samaroh this year. Teary-eyed devotees bade an emotional farewell, as idols of goddess Durga and her children were immersed in lakes, as the nine-day revelry and merriment centering Durga Puja came to an end.