COVID-19 casts its spell on Mahalaya morning in Silchar

Sept. 17: Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, celebration of occasions and festivals have taken a back gear. The administrative machinery is also active in restricting public gathering to avoid the further spread of the deadly virus. Come autumn and everybody seems to get into the festive mode, which starts pretty much from Mahalaya.

The crowded bridge at Sadarghat, Silchar perhaps is the symbolic manifestation of the fact that it is the time for the arrival of Goddess Durga. Well, none till now has been able to discern the justification of the destination “Sadarghat bridge” during Mahalaya in Silchar. However, Cachar District Administration could feel the pulse and imposed restriction on this favorite destination of the inhabitants of Silchar. The deserted twin bridges over River Barak at Sadarghat could give a sense that Devi Durga perhaps have thought not to come to the earth to be safe from the clutches of COVID-19!

However, Silcharites are festival-loving people and no restrictions seem to be too hard for us to lock us indoors. Restrictions failed to dampen the spirit of the people who came out on the streets of the town in large numbers since early morning on Thursday. Two-wheelers and cars were moving at a pace with men, women and children inside. Pedestrians too could be seen in festive mood.

Rivers in Hindu mythology are regarded as sacred. When entry and exit for ‘Mahalaya commuters’ were prohibited at Sadarghat, people found out an alternative river bank at Annapurna Ghat. Since early morning, people flocked near Annapurna Ghat, which was no less than a fair. Fear of novel coronavirus evaporated and crowds could be seen giving up social distancing norms. Perhaps, devotion and attraction towards River Barak was more strong than the fear of COVID-19!

Well, for the inhabitants of this valley, Mahalaya seems to be the dress rehearsal of the big event of ‘Durga Puja.’ Perhaps a glimpse of Mahalaya morning could enable any sane mind to fathom the fact that people indeed would be coming out of their houses in large numbers during the biggest festival of ‘Durga Puja’ taking refuge in the loopholes of administrative restrictions.

Mahalaya, which marks the end of Pitru Paksha and beginning of Devi Paksha also signifies oratorical invocation to the goddess Durga urging her to arrive on earth. As per Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga was created by all supreme powers of Universe to destroy demon Mahisasura, who was wreaking havoc on Earth. In the present context, devotees can only hope that the all powerful Goddess Durga purifies the earth wherein COVID-19 has been playing havoc.

As people were returning from their ‘Mahalaya Morning Walk’, a hope peeped in their mind; the hope of walking amidst a multitude of people in their favorite destination “Sadarghat bridge” during Mahalaya, 2021, beforee which, ‘Corona-Asur’ will hopefully be slayed by Goddess Durga on her arrival to earth in 2020…