Guwahati: The rhythmic beats of the dhak gave way to farewell prayers along Brahmaputra on Wednesday as idols of Goddess Durga were brought for immersion on Vijaya Dashami, marking the culmination of the five-day Durga Puja celebrations across Assam.From Guwahati to towns and districts across the state, puja committees began taking idols to rivers and other water bodies after the final Dashami rituals. The day began with prayers at pandals, followed by Sindoor Khela, during which women smeared vermilion on the goddess and one another as they marked the occasion amid the bittersweet emotions of bidding farewell to Maa Durga.The immersion process in Guwahati began on Wednesday and will continue on Thursday. Around 600 pujas were organised in the city this year. Immersion is being carried out at seven ghats — Pandu, Lachit Ghat, Saukuchi, Basistha, Choonsali, Sonapur and Panikhaiti.At Pandu alone, more than 250 idols are expected to be immersed. The district administration, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and health department have made arrangements for devotees and the smooth conduct of the proceedings under the supervision of the Pandu Ghat Immersion Committee.Meanwhile, Guwahati Traffic Police issued a detailed traffic advisory for both days, prescribing routes for vehicles carrying idols and diversions for regular traffic.In view of possible traffic congestion, the district administration advised commuters travelling to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and the Saraighat Bridge to avoid the affected roads wherever possible and use the national highway instead. Vehicles carrying DJ equipment and loudspeakers were barred from approaching the immersion ghats.Assam recorded 9,002 community Durga Puja pandals this year, the highest number so far, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a social media post. He attributed the increase to the prevailing peace and harmony in the state and thanked puja organisers, volunteers, police personnel and govt employees for ensuring the smooth conduct of the celebrations.The number of pandals rose from 8,381 in 2024 to 8,521 in 2025. The 2026 figure of 9,002 marks an increase of 481 over the previous year, reflecting the growing scale of Durga Puja celebrations across Assam.
