DURGA PUJA 2026 DEVOTION THROUGH THE LENS
SHILLONG/TURA, Oct 22: Meghalaya bid adieu to Goddess Durga on Wednesday as devotees immersed idols in rivers and designated water bodies across the state on Bijoya Dashami, bringing four days of festivities to a peaceful close.
In Shillong, the state capital witnessed colourful immersion processions, with devotees accompanying idols of the goddess and her four children to the designated immersion ghat at Polo. The banks of the Umkhrah river wore a festive look as puja organisers arrived with decorated vehicles, traditional drums and groups of devotees, many of whom joined hands to lower the idols into the water.
The immersion ceremonies were conducted peacefully, with security personnel deployed at riverbanks and rescue arrangements put in place to ensure safety. The festivities in Shillong and other parts of the state were marked by devotion, cultural programmes and community gatherings.
This year’s celebrations were particularly significant for the state capital, with the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee marking its centenary and the Pynthor Umkhrah and Lumparing committees celebrating their platinum jubilees.
The Central Puja Committee (CPC), Meghalaya, had announced 237 pujas across the state this year. East Khasi Hills accounted for 77, including 69 community pujas and eight residential celebrations, while Garo Hills remained the largest regional centre of festivities, with 142 pujas reported across the region.
The celebrations in Shillong brought together devotees from different neighbourhoods, with illuminated pandals, elaborately crafted idols and cultural programmes drawing people to the venues during the evenings. The annual festivities also offered an opportunity for families and friends to reunite and for residents to share in the spirit of the occasion.
The message of communal harmony was reinforced ahead of the main celebrations when the CPC organised its 33rd All Faith-All Religion Sadbhavana Sammelan at the Rilbong Durga Puja Mandapam. Religious leaders and representatives of different communities came together to underline the importance of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The festival was observed amid extensive traffic arrangements in Shillong to manage the movement of devotees and vehicles. The Shillong Traffic Police enforced sector-wise restrictions and designated no-parking zones during the puja days, with additional measures for the immersion procession on Wednesday.
Across the Garo Hills, the five-day celebrations concluded with 137 committees from the region’s five districts immersing idols in various water bodies. Tura, which hosted the highest number of pandals in the region at 31, marked the end of the festivities with immersions at the Babupara Bisarjan Ghat.
The celebrations in Tura were coordinated by the Central Puja Committee, Garo Hills, and passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.
On Dashami, an immersion procession moved through the town, starting around 1 pm from the Police Parade Ground in the Tura Market area. It wound through major parts of the town before heading to the Bisarjan Ghat, with the final immersions wrapping up shortly after dark. Devotees lined the route, singing and dancing alongside vehicles carrying the idols.
“Durga Puja in Tura is an absolute emotion,” said local resident Rahul Gupta. “No matter where we are, the yearning to return home at this time cannot be put into words. It brings entire families together to celebrate with people they have known their whole lives.”
CPC, Garo Hills, secretary Arup Nag credited the district administration, police and civic authorities for ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival. He thanked West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani, ADC Dolrich BG Momin, Tura police station and Dobasipara outpost, besides the PHE, PWD, Tura Municipal Board, MeECL, Tura Traffic Branch and the SDRF.
CPC member and Tura resident Sushanta Biswas highlighted the communal spirit of the festival, saying the town’s Dashami procession was distinguished by a sense of bonhomie that brought people together
irrespective of their backgrounds.
With the immersion of idols, devotees across Meghalaya bid farewell to the goddess, looking forward to her return next year. In Tura, the celebrations will continue later this month with the annual dhak competition at the Tura Parade Ground, where performers from the top five pandals will compete for the title of the best puja group, followed by a musical night.