The annual Durga Puja festivities concluded in Odisha with thousands of devotees bidding farewell to the goddess in grand immersion processions Friday.

In the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the processions began around noon and are set to continue till late into the night, transforming major roads into vibrant avenues of lights, firecrackers, music and dance.

A total of 193 community Durga Pujas were organised in Bhubaneswar, and 160 in Cuttack.

In view of the restrictions imposed on loud music systems or DJ boxes, many organisers opted for traditional instruments and cultural performances.

In the state capital, immersion processions were conducted in groups by cultural organisations, including the Bhubaneswar Bhasani Utsav Committee (Saheed Nagar), Rajdhani Mandir Suraksha Bh

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