Dhenkanal: The curtains came down on the 10-day-long celebrations of the famous Gaja Lakshmi Puja in Dhenkanal on Wednesday, with 41 puja establishments bidding farewell to Goddess Lakshmi through the traditional immersion (Bhasan) procession.
The city is witnessing a festive atmosphere as devotees take the deity, worshipped as Dhanadatri Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, for immersion after her 10-day sojourn on earth.
Elaborate arrangements have been made for the immersion of the idols at three designated water bodies in the city — Katha Shankha, Similia and Kunja Kanta.
The immersion procession is marked by vibrant performances of traditional musical troupes, with artistes playing a variety of traditional instruments from different parts of Odisha as well as outside the state, adding to the cultural fervour of the occasion.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the peaceful conduct of the procession. The police have deployed 25 platoons of force to maintain law and order and regulate the immersion celebrations.
The Bhasan procession marks the culmination of one of Dhenkanal’s most celebrated annual religious and cultural festivals, drawing devotees and visitors to the town.
