Bhubaneswar, Oct 15: Dussehra festivities ended in the capital city, Bhubaneswar with denizens bidding tearful adieu to Goddess Maa Durga by immersing idols in temporary ponds created for the purpose. 

In Bhubaneswar, Devi idols were immersed in five temporary ponds created on the riverbanks of Daya(2) and Kuakhai (3). Over 120 idols were disposed of in the capital city. 

In Cuttack, idols were immersed at temporary ponds dug on the Kathojodi riverbank. 

In Bhashani Utsav (immersion procession), Durga Idols were taken in grand procession amid beating drums, cymbals, and ghants to the designated ponds. Then, the idols were immersed. 

Sources in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation said about Rs 21 lakh was spent on digging the temporary ponds. 

After the idols are disposed of, BMC workers will take out used flowers, straws, and sticks and dump them in the dumping yard. The State Pollution Control Board (OPCB)will oversee the pollution aspect of immersion activities. 

The OPCB has issued a set of rules to be followed by pandal authorities to ensure that immersion of idols must not pollute the river water.