Durga Puja celebrations in Dimapur have remained subdued in recent years, with the zeal and enthusiasm witnessed a decade ago appearing to have waned amid sluggish business activity and fewer customers at markets and shopping centres.
The festivities began with Mahasaptami on Saturday amid the chanting of hymns and prayers, as devotees visited temples and puja pandals to offer prayers to Goddess Durga.
More than 50 puja pandals have been set up at various locations across Dimapur district. However, the grandeur associated with the festival in previous years appears to be missing, with traders and businessmen reporting a decline in customer turnout and sales.
Clothing retailers said business had been dull this festive season, with fewer prospective customers compared with previous years. Even major shopping malls have reportedly witnessed lower footfall, although a few have continued to attract shoppers with their latest products.
Despite the subdued commercial activity, Puja Committees expressed hope that devotees and revelers would turn out in larger numbers during the remaining days of the celebrations.
This year’s Durga Puja was scheduled from October 17 to 20, Mahaashtami on October 19 and Mahanavami on October 20, while Vijaya Dashami, or Dussehra, falling on October 21, when idols of Goddess Durga were to be immersed.
Meanwhile, the Hindu Seva Samiti has issued guidelines to the respective Puja Committees to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the festival. Organisers have made arrangements to welcome devotees, while the district administration and police have put in place security and traffic management measures for the celebrations.
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The Puja Committees have been asked to conduct the celebrations in a spirit of religious devotion, discipline and decorum. They have also been advised against using loudspeakers at pandals located near hospitals, nursing homes and old-age homes. Where permitted, loudspeaker use must remain within prescribed noise limits and cease by 10 p.m.
The Hindu Seva Samiti has further urged all Puja Committees to remain vigilant about suspicious or unattended articles, including bags and cartons, found in or around pandals and immediately inform the nearest police station to prevent any untoward incident.
For the immersion procession on Vijaya Dashami, all trucks carrying idols were instructed to assemble at Khermahal near Hemkunt Motors from 8 a.m. and proceed to the designated immersion ghat. The committees were directed to transport idols using Tata Mobile vehicles, Bolero pickups or other light vehicles to the Hindu Immersion Ghat at Purana Bazar, Dimapur.
The Samiti has also appealed to all Puja Committees to cooperate fully with the district administration, police, municipal authorities, council members and the Samiti to ensure the peaceful conduct of the celebrations and immersion procession.
To minimise river pollution, the committees have been instructed not to carry any waste along with the idols during immersion. They have also been asked to collect and immerse unattended idols found lying along roadsides to prevent their desecration.
Meanwhile, the tentative date for the Vijay Sammelan-cum-award ceremony has been fixed for November 22 (Sunday) at 4 p.m. at the Durga Mandir Auditorium, Old Daily Market, Dimapur.
