Kolkata Puja Pandal Immerses Durga Idol Without Traditional Rituals After Stampede

The Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal conducted the immersion of its deity in the Hooghly River on Thursday without performing traditional rituals including Debi Boron and Sindoor Khela, held under heightened police presence. The modified ceremony marked a subdued conclusion to the annual festival in the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred during the puja celebrations the previous week.

The stampede at the congested pandal location resulted in 19 deaths and left several others injured, prompting authorities to scale back festivities and implement stricter crowd management protocols for the immersion ceremony. The decision to forgo conventional celebration rituals reflected the community's decision to prioritize safety and demonstrate respect for those who lost their lives.

Debi Boron, a ritual in which married women apply vermilion on the deity and each other, and Sindoor Khela, a traditional play involving the application of vermilion, are customary components of Durga Puja festivities across Bengal. The omission of these ceremonies underscored the somber atmosphere surrounding this year's observance in the locality.

Authorities maintained heightened surveillance during the immersion to prevent any recurrence of the crowding that had preceded the fatal incident. The streamlined proceedings saw participation from essential pandal members and volunteers, with public attendance deliberately restricted.