Grand Procession Marks Mother Durga's Immersion in Balrampur, Bidding Farewell on Rapti Banks

बलरामपुर उत्तर प्रदेश | अनिरुद्ध प्रताप शुक्ल

Navratri Concludes with Grand Immersion Ceremony

Balrampur town concluded the Sharadiya Navratri festivities on Tuesday with the grand immersion of Mother Durga idols on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami. Organized by the Jay Maa Durga Puja Central Coordination Committee, idols brought from the town and surrounding areas were gathered at Veer Vinay Chowk.

Following this, a massive procession was taken out, which reached the banks of the Rapti River amidst cheers of "Jai Maa Durga" and the resounding beat of drums. The procession was flagged off by Sadar MLA Paltoo Ram, Municipal Chairperson Dr. Dhirendra Pratap Singh Dheeru, and committee founder president Raj Kumar Srivastava. Mahant Brijanand Maharaj of Gelhapur presided over the event.

Devotees Bid Adieu to Goddess Durga

The procession traversed through Veer Vinay Chowk, Sarai Phatak, Sabzi Mandi, Bartan Mandi, Girls College Chauraha, Devi Dayal Tiraaha, Bada Pul, Nai Bazaar, Chowk, and Major Chauraha, before reaching the Rapti River bank via Kalithan. Throughout the grand procession, youth danced to the rhythm of drums, showering colored powders and celebrating with immense enthusiasm as they bid farewell to the Goddess.

A large number of devotees gathered on the banks of the Rapti River with moist eyes to bid farewell to Mother Durga. The immersion of the idols continued late into the evening. Local residents lined the main thoroughfares of the town to witness the spectacular event.

Security and Administrative Presence Ensured Orderly Conduct

District Magistrate Dr. Vipin Kumar Jain, Superintendent of Police Martand Pratap Singh, BJP District President Ravi Mishra, Additional District Magistrate Sandeep Kela, Sadar SDM Manoj Kumar, and Additional Superintendent of Police Vishal Pandey, along with several other administrative officials and public representatives, were present during this significant immersion occasion. The administration had made elaborate security arrangements, deploying police forces to ensure the immersion concluded peacefully and in a spirit of mutual harmony. The administration had also appealed to devotees to maintain peace.

Committee Chairperson Dr. Dhirendra Pratap Singh Dheeru and Executive President Avinash Mishra welcomed the dignitaries by presenting them with angavastras (shawls) and mementos. The program was compered by Sanjay Shukla. Also present were Rajendra Singh, a litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, patron Dr. Kaushalya Gupta, and other senior officials and activists of the committee. This immersion ceremony proved to be a vibrant confluence of religious faith and tradition.