Fervor and festivity mark start of Durga Puja in Dimapur and Chümoukedima

DIMAPUR — Dimapur and Chümoukedima came alive on Monday as Durga Puja celebrations began, with rhythmic dhaak beats and chanting echoing through the city and pandals, heralding the start of the festival.

Preparations in Dimapur have been underway for several days, with vibrant idols of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, colourful garlands, flowers, lights, and other decorations adorning pandals across the town.

Devotees, especially women and children, thronged the pandals, dancing to the beats of the dhaak, participating in prayers, preparing food, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Dimapur district will host 51 pandals across various localities, each managed by a separate Puja committee, while Chümoukedima district has six pandals.

Bikram Das, Secretary of the PWD Durga Puja Committee in Dimapur, said that the committee is celebrating its 59th year of Durga Puja, a tradition dating back to 1966.

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He stressed the importance of waste management during the festival, noting that a dedicated team has been assigned to collect waste daily, which will be transported to the dumping site after the celebrations.

Das also said that fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers, have been put in place to ensure a secure environment for the festivities.

Sujit Dey, Working President of the Chümoukedima Hindu Society Puja Committee, said that the committee is marking its 27th year of celebrations since 1998.

Dey highlighted the significance of Durga Puja, which commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the celebration of divine feminine energy.

He said that the festival brings together diverse Hindu communities in Nagaland, including Nepali, Bengali, and Marwari groups, fostering unity.

For waste management, Dey added that youth volunteers are overseeing collection, with dustbins placed around the pandal, and Chümoukedima Town Council arranging vehicles to collect waste on the final day.

DMC appeals for zero-waste celebration

Meanwhile, the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has urged residents to maintain a clean and green celebration in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 “Swachhotsav” initiative.

During the festive period, the council has asked the community to avoid single-use plastics, ensure frequent cleaning, maintain toilets, and replace disposable items with reusable alternatives to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.