The idol after being taken out of the pandal
Instead, police, local residents and other devotees walked alongside the idol with candles and black armbands, paying tribute to the 19 lives lost in the tragedy. Within an hour, 25 of our members made themselves available,” said Soumyadeep Roy, a member of Shimla Byayam Samiti.
“The idol was transported to the immersion ghat on a trolley this time, as that was the police’s decision,” said another member. “We could not allow full-fledged rituals, but when some people requested us to offer sweets and water and smear vermillion, we allowed them,” said a police officer. “I have never seen an immersion of this kind in my life,” said Vanilata Agarwal, a resident of Sir Hari Ram Goenka Street.
But there were no customary dhaak beats or festive chants to accompany the Goddess on her final journey. The effort also brought together neighbouring puja organisers. Members of Shimla Byayam Samiti responded to an SOS from Girish Park PS, offering assistance with the immersion. “The police requested us if we could help them with the immersion. “As per the instructions, none of us entered the pandal. Once the idol was brought outside, we coordinated with the police and labourers to transport it safely to the ghat,” he added. As the trolley rolled out of Muktaram Babu Street, some women ululated, others offered sweets and water, and a few smeared vermilion on the Goddess’s feet. But, there was no traditional ‘sindoor khela’. Police had to cordon off the area.
Kolkata: For the first time since the Chorbagan stampede tragedy exactly a week ago, the Durga idol that had remained out of bounds to visitors since first Saptami emerged from the pandal on Saturday.