A Blue Adieu
This year, after the Puja, while visiting Baleshwar in Odisha, we witnessed an entirely new kind of idol immersion. While bathing in the sea, we suddenly saw about twenty people—ranging from the elderly to young boys, with all ages represented—bringing a Durga idol on what looked like a large tractor-like vehicle. We are from Kolkata, and haven’t had much opportunity to see idol immersions in the sea before. So, with great curiosity, we kept watching.
Before the immersion began, the men started separating the clay idols from their bamboo frames using dao knives. In doing so, various parts of the idols broke off. Here, Lakshmi’s hand fell on the sand; there, Kartik’s leg. Some parts were set afloat in the water by the younger members of the group. Meanwhile, a tug-of-war broke out between two little boys over the Asura’s head. We forgot all about our bath and kept observing with keen interest.
And I kept thinking—the same festival, the same goddess—yet, how different the customs of bidding farewell! We take what is familiar to us as normal or ideal. But the familiar picture of Kolkata’s immersion that is ingrained in our minds—that day, going beyond it, I had a glimpse of something new. Only a few bare frames remained on the sand, as witnesses to our wonder.
Story by Shahana Mukherjee
Bishnupur
Sandipan Mukherjee has been a free-lance contributor to numerous national and international publications for over two decades. He has won awards and recognition from all over the world for his photographs. As the winner of the coveted Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2013 Contest organized by the Wanderlust Magazine, UK, Mukherjee earned a Photo Commission to Jordan. Mukherjee is the author of two critically acclaimed books – 'On Broken Trails' and ‘Gangasagar – Salvation by Water’. He has four Solo Exhibitions to his credit.
