A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The low key celebration of Durga Puja rituals and festivities concluded in Lakhimpur district with Vijaya Dasami on Monday. With it, the devotional environment with blended notes of the Durga Vandana in 38 Puja mandaps across the district fell silent for a year.
On the occasion of the Akal Bodhan of the Devi Durga or the Mahishasuramardini, which philosophically symbolizes the eternal glorification of the 'Shakti', the female power and the victory of good over the evil; devotees of the district in regulated manner were seen visiting almost all the Puja mandaps on Saturday and Sunday in order to perform the religious rituals to worship the deity on Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, praying for peace, progress and prosperity. In addition to strict COVID-19 protocol, the inclement weather with incessant rain dampened the festive spirit on the day of Maha Asatami on Saturday.
On the occasion of Maha Ashtami, the Goddess Durga was worshipped in her childhood form. As per the legends, Maha Ashtami is the day when Devi Durga slew the buffalo devil Mahishasura. The rituals of Maha Navami, which is considered the most auspicious day, began with the end of the Sandhi Puja and completed with the execution of 'Maha Aarti'. The 'Mahayagna' was also performed in the morning after which anjali was taken.
On the other hand, the rituals of the Puja ended on Monday on Vijaya Dashami after worshipping the deity once more. Then idols of the Goddess were taken for immersion at the designated immersion site of the River Ranganadi, Dikrong under North Lakhimpur subdivision and Charikoriya under Dhakuakhana subdivision.
Devotees were seen visiting Panchanan Dewalaya, Baithawati Than, Neel Dewalaya, Maa Padumoni Aai Than, Durga Mandir, Kechaikhati Gosani Than and Lonpani Aai Than under North Lakhimpur subdivision and Shree Shree Iswari Harhi Dewalaya, Shree Shree Ma Manipuri Aai Than under Dhakuakhona subdivision, which are the noted Devi peeths of the district.
The days of the festival passed peacefully across the district. "No law and order issues occurred in the district during the days of the Durga Puja. We are very much thankful to all concerned for maintaining peace and harmony in the celebration of the festival," said the Lakhimpur district Superintendent of Police, while talking to The Sentinel in this regard. He said that the police department had initiated special measures in the immersion sites across the district to avert any untoward incident.