Lord Rama and Sita had an early lunch on August 16, 2020. Much too early compared to other years on the day of Rama Vijaya, when the deity is immersed in the Hooghly after four months of worship at the Ramrajatala temple. After a quiet arrival on Ram Navami day this year, Lord Rama also had an uneventful and rather speedy departure on the last Sunday of the month of Shravana in the Bengali calendar. The Covid-19 pandemic pulled curtains down on all celebrations on one of Howrah’s traditional and highly celebrated immersion ceremonies.
The usually buzzing Ramrajatala and adjoining areas on this occasion was empty with only temple authorities and local people gathering with the idol and police personnel maintaining strict social distancing and ensuring rapid movement of the idols.
Rama Vijaya is one day of the year when Ramrajatala in Howrah is chock-a-block as devotees throng the area to bid adieu to the deities. Lord Rama and Sita usually leave the temple premises in the afternoon after an elaborate puja and devotees offering their prayers for a last time. A long procession comprising bands, bahurupees and other attractions accompany the idol moving slowing along the main road. Devotees gather on both sides of the road to catch one last glimpse of their Rama and Sita. This mega event is marked with a huge fair that sits on either side of the road on that day.
Along with Rama and Sita, the idol of Somi Chandi that is worshipped nearby, also for four months, goes for immersion in the same procession.
In stark contrast to this sight this year were the empty roads, with not even a balloon seller in sight. By 12noon, Lord Rama was on his way out and by 2pm, there was no sign that an immersion procession had actually passed this road. “It was disheartening to see such an empty locality on this special day. We have been emotionally involved with this puja and the Vijaya ceremony since childhood days, but this year we did not even feel the excitement and enthusiasm,” said Poltoo Bhattacharya, a resident of Ramrajatala.
A total of 50 people were permitted, after temperature checks and sanitisation, to pull the ropes of Rama’s chariot. Police personnel cordoned off the thick ropes on either side and walked with a thinner rope on both sides. No one was allowed to enter or touch the ropes of the chariot.
The procession culminated at the Hooghly by afternoon and by 5pm, the deities had been immersed, starting off another long wait before Rama returns, in a healthy, safe and Covid-free environment.
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