New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Chants of ‘Jai Ma Durga’ resonated in the air amidst the beating of drums and dancing as devotees across the city bade farewell to the goddess Monday.
The devotees, many of whom had their faces smeared with red vermillion, danced in front of the idols of the deity.
Hundreds of men, women and children from all walks of life carrying the idols of goddess Durga crowded the six Yamuna ghats since Monday afternoon as they immersed the idols one by one with misty eyes.
“This is an emotional moment for all of us. After so many days, ma (goddess Durga) becomes like a family member and it is tough to bid farewell,” said Anand Biswas, a 42-year-old resident of Mayur Vihar.
The immersion ceremony symbolises the end of the goddess’s annual sojourn to her paternal home and she returns to her husband Lord Shiva at their heavenly abode on Mount Kailash.
The Delhi Police as well as the civic authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the immersion of the idols passed off peacefully.