Durga Puja celebrations begin on a subdued note at Dimapur

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 10: Durga Puja celebrations in Dimapur this year have begun with a more subdued atmosphere compared to previous years. Mahasaptami, which marks the beginning of the main puja days, was observed with fewer devotees visiting the pandals and less visible enthusiasm. The day was marked by unique rituals and traditions that honour Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha.

A decade ago, Durga Puja was celebrated with great zeal and large gatherings, but this year, both the number of devotees and the scale of the festivities have diminished.

This year too people would miss to see big pandals in their favourite locations as the puja committees had restricted their budgets.

As the celebration began today and would continue for next two days, the puja committees are optimistic to see lots of people. However, they also expressed doubts as persistent rains and poor road conditions in Dimapur have deterred people from venturing out.

Furthermore, restrictions on autorickshaws, a commonly used and affordable mode of transport, to ply within the town have added to the inconvenience, reducing the number of people attending the celebrations

Meanwhile, the closure of Overbridge for renovation works, especially during the festive season, has not only created inconveniences to commuters but also increased problems, especially traffic jams within the town as traffic flow has been affected. This is likely to continue till December and would also affect the Christmas, people told Nagaland Page.

The renovation works for the Overbridge should have been done much earlier and not at this festive season, one commuter said, adding this is going to affect the people as well as the market.

As the closure of Overbridge would affect the transportation of the idols of Goddess Durga at the end of the festival, the district administration has granted permission to carry the idols for immersion through the Flyover Bridge in smaller vehicles. However, devotees would miss the procession for immersion of idols.

Local traders have reported a decline in sales compared to previous years. Factors like the rise of online shopping and the lack of enthusiasm to stock large inventories, particularly clothing, have further affected businesses during the festive season. Even the usual “discount sales” haven’t succeeded in attracting many customers this year.

One trader, on conditions of anonymity, said that their sales have gone down as compared to what they had some 5 to 10 years back.

He said that businessmen are not enthusiastic to bring huge quantities of items, especially clothes as they would run into losses. He also mentioned that online shopping platforms have one way affected the sales, but on the other hand, those who are not familiar to online shopping are also missing from the market.

Various shopping malls, New Market, Hong Kong Market, etc., have seen a gradual decline in customers this festive season compared to previous years. Interestingly, ‘discount sales’ in various places have also not attracted customers.

Coming back to Durga Puja, Mahava Ashtami and Maha Navami on Friday and Saturday would attract lots of devotees to visit puja mandals and temples to offer pujaa. Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami are the heart of the Durga Puja celebrations. The days are filled with rituals, prayers and cultural vibrancy.

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, with Goddess Durga defeating the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It also commemorates Goddess Durga’s homecoming to her maternal home, the mortal realm.

Durga Puja would end on Sunday with Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra when the idols of Goddess Durga along with her children would be bade adieu and immersed in River Dhansiri and other places in Dimapur.

(Page News Service)