Various utsava mandals took out Marbat-Badgya procession, the exclusive feature of the city, with great enthusiasm in eastern and central parts of the city on Tanha Pola on Saturday with workers raising slogans like ‘Ida pida Gheun Ja Ge Marbat.
The yearly procession could not be taken for two years owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the organisers and participants were highly enthusiastic.
As usual, the main attraction of the procession was Kali and Pili Marbat. The procession consisted of other marbats and bagyas, exposing rising prices of petrol, diesel, essential commodities, bad condition of roads, pits, corruption, suspended police recruitment, unemployment, GST, agniveer scheme and other pressing issues.
The workers sprinkled gulal, fired petals through artificial canon, dances on tunes/DJ and raised slogans. The procession started from Jagnath Budhwari, Bardana market and nearby places to meet en route.
It passed through Itwari, Gandhi statue, Badkas chow, Kelibag road, Mahal, Gandhi gate, Chinis part, Central avenue etc.
The workers took rounds of marbat and badgya at various squares of the route and raised slogans. After crossing the main streets, the procession then reached their places. The workers burnt kali marbat at Lakadganj area while the participants burnt pili marbat at Naik talao. Other marbats and badgyas were also burnt in nearby areas in the evening.
Meanwhile, over 2,000 policemen and 600 Home Guards were deployed at Itwari, Jagnath Budhwari and Gandhibag to manage the crowd and traffic. Cops diverted traffic from nearby squares to the route of procession to avoid congestion and disturbance.
