Idols of Durga being immersed at Debi Ghat in Cuttack on Friday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 7: The five-day Dussehra festivities neared a peaceful completion in the Millennium City today with devotees from across the state attending the immersion ceremony — the last ritual of Durga Puja.

The traditional route leading to Debi Ghat (the place of immersion) was packed as the various puja committees took their idols in processions and lowered them into Kathjodi River.

Earlier, the different puja committees had begun preparations for the immersion since early morning. There was excitement among the youths who were seen dancing to the tunes of traditional instruments that were in demand owing to the sound restrictions imposed by the high court.

Dhols, cymbals and conches created a spiritual ambience and the entire stretch from Buxi Bazar to Debi Ghat via Manik Ghose Bazar, Telengabazar and Gaurishankar Park, was choked with devotees from different parts of the state.

“This time, we have totally relied on traditional instruments instead of loudspeakers and DJs that result in noise pollution,” said Prafulla Sahu, secretary of Khannagar puja committee.

In the wake of the recent floods, many puja committees had resorted to massive cost cutting to express solidarity with the flood victims.

“Keeping in view the recent devastation because of the floods in the state, the celebrations were a low-key affair as we had resorted to cost reduction so that we could contribute funds for the flood victims,” said Niranjan Sahu, Chauliaganj puja committee secretary.

Security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the ‘bhasani utsav’ (immersion ceremony). Fifty-five platoons of armed police personnel and two companies of CRPF, special security battalions, quick reaction teams, bomb squad, 300 officers and over 600 constables were pressed into service, said a senior police official.

“Adequate security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the immersion ceremony in the city,” said deputy commissioner of police Praveen Kumar.

This year, two new puja committees — Khannagar and Sikharpur — joined the elite club of chandi medhas (silver filigree work backdrops) taking the total number to 14 in the city.

All the Chandi Medhas were taken out in a traditional procession to the immersion ghat amidst tight security.

A total of 33 medhas were immersed at Debi Ghat till 5pm today.

Earlier, police had also made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Dussehra at 153 puja pandals across the city. A flag march was also conducted to build confidence and for peaceful celebrations.

One way traffic was implemented at different thoroughfares connecting the main route leading to the immersion ghat.