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An idol of goddess Durga put up at a pandal in Dimapur.[/caption]
Dimapur, October 10 : The bright and breezy atmosphere in Dimapur with vibrantly coloured Durga Puja pandals (marquee) and sounds of drum beats reflected the festival spirit of sharing and bonding today. It is the time of year when the Hindu community celebrates Durga Puja that embodies ‘victory over evil’.
Almost every locality in Dimapur has built artistic pandals adding beauty and grandeur to the Puja festivity. In the words of KK Paul, the president of Dimapur Bengali Samaj, “The pandals are put up for beautification with an idea to bring joy in the minds of the people.”
The festival is one of the most important events that celebrates reunion, restoration, traditional culture and customs and most importantly ‘oneness’, says Paul.
“In Dimapur, we strive to maintain friendship among various communities irrespective of religion, and this festival has always fostered friendship among the Nagas and non-Nagas. We are fortunate to be citizens of Dimapur which has always welcomed us with open hearts,” he told Eastern Mirror.
Durga Puja is one festival that has always raised environmental concern. So the organisers of the festival and the community ensured that the celebration does not end on an unhappy note.
Paul said the community in order not to harm the environment ensured that all the idols are made of clay, painted with non-toxic paints and the celebration is closed at 10 pm to control noise pollution.
The community also made sure that the celebration is eco-friendly and the awards for the best three pandals are given to those who have made them environment-friendly.
Dimapur district, including Chumukedima, alone put up 50 pandals, informed Paul. Social gatherings, shopping and gift-exchanging, visit to pandals, beautifications, cultural dance and idol immersion are some of the highlights of the celebration. The Dimapur Bengali Samaj donated 300 sarees to the needy women on the occasion.
The Durga Puja is observed with four ceremonies - Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami - which hold its own significance, said Subra Nath, a homemaker. The Dashami is the last day of the programme when the Durga idol is taken for immersion. The day falls on October 11 this year. After immersion of the idol, water from the same river where it is immersed is fetched in a vessel considering it to be holy.
Married women participate on the last day of the festivity by smearing vermilion on each other, Nath stated. Even unmarried women participate in it by smearing colours on each other, he added.
The day ends with people embracing each other and a sumptuous meal.
