Rush at Ghats and Ponds — The Durga Puja 2025 immersion festival in Kolkata witnessed an unprecedented rush as citizens, families, and devotees gathered at the city’s ghats and ponds to bid farewell to over 4,300 Durga idols, marking one of the largest and most intricate visarjan (immersion) events in recent years. The grandeur of this ritual, deeply rooted in Bengali tradition, was accompanied by the challenges of managing massive crowds, ensuring public safety, and addressing environmental concerns linked to idol immersion.
From Babughat and Nimtala Ghat along the Hooghly River to smaller ponds scattered across suburban Kolkata, the scale of immersion was both a celebration of cultural devotion and a test of civic infrastructure and law enforcement efficiency.
Scale and Magnitude of the Durga Idol Immersions
This year, approximately 3,000 idols were immersed on Dashami (the tenth day of Durga Puja), with another 1,300 idols following on subsequent days across the city. Major ghats, including Babughat, Nimtala, Rabindra Sarobar, and Deshapriya Park, were focal points for thousands of devotees who carried their meticulously crafted idols to water bodies in ceremonial processions accompanied by traditional drumming and chanting.
The number of idols underscores the sheer scale of Kolkata’s Durga Puja: private households, clubs, local puja committees, and residential societies contributed to this massive annual ritual, requiring coordinated civic planning and logistical execution.
Managing the Rush: Police, Volunteers, and Disaster Preparedness
Police and Civic Deployment
Kolkata Police, in coordination with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), deployed a large contingent across all ghats and key immersion points to manage both crowds and traffic. Special quick-response teams, boat patrols, and disaster management squads were stationed strategically to ensure safety, particularly at high-traffic zones like Babughat and Nimtala.
Additional measures included:
- Lifeboats and divers stationed along the Hooghly River.
- Disaster management teams deployed at every ghat.
- Crowd-control barriers and designated pathways for pedestrians and vehicles.
This robust deployment ensured that even with thousands of devotees converging simultaneously, immersion activities continued with minimal disruption.
Role of Volunteers and Local Committees
Volunteer marshals from local puja committees assisted in guiding devotees, managing queues, and helping transport idols safely. Many committees established temporary immersion tanks to facilitate eco-friendly rituals and reduce congestion at major water bodies.
These volunteer efforts were crucial in handling unexpected crowd surges and ensuring that both traditional customs and safety protocols were maintained.
The Emotional and Cultural Significance of Visarjan
Durga Puja immersion is not merely a ceremonial act; it is a deeply emotional moment for families and communities. Devotees expressed a mixture of joy and sorrow as they bid farewell to the Goddess, chanting “Asche Bochhor Abar Hobe” (It will happen again next year).
- Families carried idols to ghats, offering prayers and performing rituals.
- Children participated actively, dancing to the beat of traditional dhaks (drums) alongside adults.
- Artisans and craftsmen who spent months preparing the idols watched as their creations entered the river, symbolizing the cyclical nature of devotion and tradition.
This combination of communal participation and personal reflection underscores why Kolkata’s Durga Puja remains one of the most revered and culturally rich festivals in India.
Environmental Concerns and Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Despite careful planning, environmental concerns remain a significant challenge. Many idols still contain plaster of Paris, chemical paints, and non-biodegradable decorations, which can pollute rivers and ponds if not properly managed.
Efforts to mitigate these impacts included:
- Use of temporary immersion tanks for smaller idols to reduce chemical runoff.
- Deployment of cleaning equipment and cranes at major ghats to remove debris post-immersion.
- Engagement of environmental groups to monitor water quality and educate communities about sustainable practices.
Experts emphasize that transitioning to biodegradable materials, natural dyes, and eco-friendly decorations is essential to protect the Hooghly River and other water bodies surrounding Kolkata.
Challenges Faced During Immersion
Even with careful planning, the festival’s massive scale presented several logistical and safety challenges:
- Sudden showers during Dashami slowed down idol transport and created slippery conditions at ghats.
- Heavy footfall led to congestion at key immersion points, requiring temporary halts in movement and careful crowd management.
- Some suburban ponds lacked adequate facilities for safe immersion and cleanup, highlighting the need for regional coordination.
Nevertheless, the combination of police vigilance, volunteer support, and community cooperation ensured that incidents were minimized, and the festival proceeded without major accidents.
Urban Planning and Future of Immersion Practices
The scale of Kolkata’s Durga Puja immersion offers lessons in urban planning, disaster preparedness, and cultural management:
- Expanded Infrastructure: Additional immersion tanks and artificial ponds in suburban areas can alleviate pressure on the Hooghly River.
- Eco-Friendly Policies: Mandating biodegradable materials and environmentally safe paints will reduce river pollution.
- Integrated Cleanup Programs: Coordinated efforts among KMC, municipalities, and environmental groups ensure timely removal of debris.
- Technological Assistance: Drones, CCTV monitoring, and real-time crowd analytics can enhance safety during peak immersion hours.
- Porter Welfare: Ensuring hydration, rest, and medical support for idol handlers is essential to prevent fatigue-related incidents.
These steps will help balance tradition with sustainability, ensuring that Kolkata’s Durga Puja continues to thrive as a culturally significant and environmentally responsible festival.
Rush at Ghats and Ponds: Conclusion
The 2025 Durga Puja immersion in Kolkata showcased the city’s cultural grandeur, organizational skill, and civic resilience. With over 4,300 idols immersed across ghats and ponds, the festival reaffirmed Kolkata’s reputation as the cultural capital of India. At the same time, environmental and logistical challenges highlighted the need for continuous innovation in crowd management, ecological stewardship, and urban planning.
As the last idols sank into the Hooghly River and waters around the city, the devotees departed with memories of devotion, artistry, and community. The city now looks ahead to next year’s Puja, carrying lessons from the successes and challenges of 2025, and striving for a more sustainable, safe, and joyous celebration that honors both tradition and the environment.
External References and Resources
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation – Civic Services
- UNESCO on Cultural Heritage of Durga Puja
- India Meteorological Department – Weather Updates
- Environmental studies on river pollution and urban festivals: Central Pollution Control Board
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