Today is Bijoya Dashami, the final day of the autumn festival of Durga Puja. At the end of the day, devotees will bid farewell to Goddess Durga through the immersion of her idols.
Wednesday (October 21) marks the conclusion of the five-day Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations observed by followers of the Sanatan Hindu faith. On this day, devotees will immerse the idols of Goddess Durga.
Amid the tears of worshippers, Goddess Durga will leave the mortal world and return to Mount Kailash. As a result, an atmosphere of sorrow and farewell prevails at the festival pavilions.
As Goddess Durga prepares to depart, devotees will be overcome with sadness. Many will have tears in their eyes as they bid farewell to the goddess. The sounds of traditional drums (dhak) and conch shells will fill the air, marking the emotional farewell.
On Wednesday morning, special concluding rituals will be performed at Durga Puja pavilions across the country. These will be followed by the Darpan Bisarjan ritual and the immersion of the idols.
On Bijoya Dashami, the idols will be immersed across the country through processions organized at locally convenient times. According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga will leave the mortal world and return to Mount Kailash on this day.
The immersion of the idols will bring the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations to an end. (File photo)
Followers of the Sanatan Hindu faith believe that the central significance of Bijoya Dashami lies in abandoning the demonic tendencies within the human mind, including lust, anger, jealousy and greed. The purpose of the celebration is to overcome these negative traits, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and establish peace throughout the world.
Before Goddess Durga's departure, Hindu women will also take part in Sindoor Khela (the vermilion festival) at various puja pavilions. They will collect vermilion from the goddess's feet and apply it to themselves as part of the traditional farewell rituals.
According to religious customs, women apply vermilion from Goddess Durga's forehead to the parting of their own hair on Dashami, seeking blessings for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. After offering betel leaves and sweets and touching the goddess with vermilion, they apply it to one another. Once the Sindoor Khela celebrations conclude, they offer prayers to the goddess one final time.
According to religious beliefs and traditional scriptural interpretations, Goddess Durga arrived this year riding a horse and will depart by boat. Devotees hold various religious beliefs and interpretations concerning the significance of the goddess's arrival and departure.