Incessant rains in the last few days have dampened the spirit of Durga Puja in the Dibrugarh and Hojai districts.
In Dibrugarh, the puja committees have made small pandals and small idols after the government ordered to celebrate Durga Puja following guidelines and Covid19 protocols.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
But the continuous rains have spoiled everything.
“We decided to move out but due to heavy downpour, we have failed to go outside. This year Covid19 has affected everything. After the government’s announcement, we were hopeful of enjoying puja but now the rain has spoiled everything,” said Anjali Sen, a resident of Dibrugarh.
All the puja committees are following guidelines set by the government due to Covid19 and the visitors are being provided hand sanitizers.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Like previous years, this year there has been no rush for the puja pandals.
Only a few people have been seen visiting puja pandals to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.
In Hojai, incessant rains for the last three-four days and Covid19 protocols have dampened the puja spirit in the district.
However, devotees following all the Covid19 guidelines reached nearby pandals to seek blessings of Maa Durga on Maha Saptami on Friday and Maha Ashtami on Saturday.
In the areas under Hojai police station, only 65 Puja committees got permission to hold puja on the condition of following all the Covid19 protocols.
Hojai is famous for Durga Puja celebration by Adarsha Durga Puja Samiti with its 18 hands Maa Durga idol.
The puja committee has been celebrating Durga Puja since 1967.
This year, the puja committee kept the height of the Durga idol at 5 feet and the place of celebration has been shifted from Raibhadaur Lane to Jugal Kishore Kedia Smriti Bhawan.
Talking to Northeast Now, the co-ordinator of Adarsha Durga Puja Samiti, Mohan More said, “We believe that when Maa Durga slaughtered Mahishasur, the Goddess had 18 hands. So, we worship Maa Durga with 18 hands. We follow all the Vedic rituals.”
All the members of the puja committee urged the people not to flout the safety norms during the festival.
Manipuri Community Durga Puja Maa ‘IMA PANTHOIBI’ is also a special attraction for the devotees.
The puja committee has also organised cultural programme as per Manipuri customs.
The Sarbajanik Durga Bari Committee has been celebrating Durga Puja since 1935 at Shivbari Road.
In previous years, thousands of devotees gathered at the puja pandal to worship Goddess Durga.
This puja pandal attracted visitors for its colourful mela. But this year there is no such mela.
The puja committees of Govind Ashram, Nabakalpa, Marwari Durgoutsav Samiti, Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram, Kediapuram, Saha Patty, Krishna Nagar, Bishnupally and others are also celebrating puja in low key decorum, maintaining all the norms.
Hojai Police have made proper security arrangements in the district to ensure a smooth and peaceful Durga Puja.