However, the frenzied immersion ceremony of the idols of Durga, complete with elaborate processions, dance, beating of drums and lusty cheers by youngsters, saw Bengal making most of the carnival.
In keeping with the customs, the idols of Goddess Durga along with those of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya-were immersed with much fanfare. This was done after womenfolk smeared the deities with vermilion.
Special pujas were held as the day progressed. Married women prayed for the well-being of their families. Sweets were distributed. Idols in some of the old households of north Kolkata, which observe the pujas in the traditional way, were immersed early. Organisers of big budget community pujas of Kolkata often choose to immerse the idols a day or two later.
In Kolkata, Babughat on the banks of the Ganges (Hooghly river) was teeming with people who turned up in groups to watch the grand immersions. Women shed inhibitions to join the men in dancing wildly to the beating of drums, as the idols were immersed.
A total of 12,000 pujas were organised in West Bengal, including about 1,127 community pujas in Kolkata alone.
“We have made elaborate security arrangements for immersion at Babughat and other venues,” a police official said.
About 16,000 policemen were deployed in the state to cope with the crowd and maintain security.
Bijoya Dashami in Bengal also means sweets, homemade goodies and exchange of pleasantries. It is a special ritual whereby peace and good relations are reaffirmed. Bijoya continues till the next new moon, when Kali Puja is held.
Durga Puja, the autumn carnival of the Bengalis, was heralded with enthusiasm on Wednesday. The festivities began with Mahashashthi celebrations as Goddess Durga was invoked. Kolkata this time witnessed pujas mostly dominated by varied themes - including the temples of Java, a Santhal village, the Hogwarts Castle of Harry Potter and global warming.
Tirumala festivities end
Tirupati, dhns: The nine-day Navarathri Brahmotsavams concluded at Tirumala hills on Sunday with performance of the Chakra Snanam. On the eve of the Chakra Snanam, idols of Lord Malayappa Swamy with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi were taken on a procession on Sunday morning along with Sudharshana Chakratalwar to Sri Varahaswamy temple situated on the north-east corner of the temple of Lord Venkateswara.
The priests took the Sudharshana Chakratalwar to the holy tank (Srivari Pushkarini) situated in the Sri Varahaswamy temple and took a holy dip in the water. Later, thousands of devotees, who were waiting for this moment, also took a dip in the water.
