As devotees prepare to bid farewell to Goddess Durga with rituals, vermilion and the beats of dhak, Bijoya Dashami today will mark the end of Durga Puja, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and carrying wishes for peace, prosperity and her return next year.
The colours of autumn, rhythmic beats of dhak and festive gatherings have filled the days of Sharadiya Durga Puja. Today (21 October), Bijoya Dashami will bring together the joy of devotion, the emotions of farewell and the hope of welcoming Goddess Durga again next year.
For Bengali Hindus, Bijoya Dashami is more than the conclusion of a religious celebration. It is a day of blessings, reunion and goodwill, when people share sweets, embrace loved ones and exchange wishes for happiness and prosperity.
According to Hindu belief, Goddess Durga descends to the mortal world with her children each autumn and returns to her heavenly abode at Mount Kailash after days of worship and celebration. Her departure marks the end of the festivities, while the promise of her return keeps the spirit of the occasion alive.
Rituals of farewell
The day begins with Dashami puja and Darpan Bisarjan, a symbolic farewell in which devotees view the goddess's reflection in a mirror before bidding her adieu. The rituals mark the conclusion of worship at pandals across the country.
Traditional almanacks prescribe different timings for the ceremonies. According to the Guptapress Panjika, Dashami rituals and darpan bisarjan should be completed by 9:57am, while the Vishuddha Siddhanta Panjika sets the deadline at 2:41pm.
Devotees are advised to follow the guidance of priests at their respective pandals.
Vermilion, blessings and togetherness
One of the most colourful traditions of Bijoya Dashami is Debi Baran, in which married women offer vermilion, sweets, betel leaves and other items to the goddess before bidding her farewell.
The ritual is often followed by sindoor khela, when women apply vermilion to one another's faces, sharing wishes for happiness, good health and prosperity. The vibrant ritual captures the warmth and camaraderie of the occasion, turning the goddess's farewell into a celebration of sisterhood and shared blessings.
Customs vary across regions and pandals, but the spirit remains the same: to send the goddess off with devotion and welcome the year ahead with hope.
A final journey to the waters
The immersion of idols is the festival's defining farewell. Devotees will carry the idols in processions to designated immersion sites, accompanied by the beats of dhak, conch-shell blasts and ululation.
As the idols are immersed, the familiar call "Aaschhe bochor abar hobe" – may the celebrations return next year – echoes the anticipation already taking shape among devotees.
According to traditional almanacks, Durga arrived on a horse this year and will depart by boat. Religious interpretations associate the horse with social and political uncertainty, while the boat is linked to water and agricultural abundance, alongside concerns about excessive rainfall and flooding. These are traditional religious interpretations, not scientific forecasts.
Celebrating the victory of good
At the heart of Durga Puja lies the story of the goddess's victory over Mahishasur, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Her ten arms, bearing different weapons, represent the strength and determination with which she defeats the forces of darkness.
Bijoya Dashami renews that message of courage, hope and righteousness. During the festival, devotees pray for peace, prosperity, good health and the well-being of their families and communities.
As the formal celebrations conclude, the spirit of Bijoya spreads from pandals into homes. People visit relatives, seek blessings from elders, exchange sweets and embrace friends and neighbours, renewing bonds of affection and goodwill.
Shubho Bijoya to all
The goddess's departure may bring a touch of sadness, but it also leaves behind the warmth of shared celebrations and the promise of another autumn filled with devotion and joy.
May this Bijoya Dashami bring peace to every home, happiness to every family and prosperity to all. May kindness overcome bitterness, harmony prevail over division and hope illuminate the days ahead.
As devotees bid farewell to Durga, the message of the festival lives on in their prayers and everyday lives. Shubho Bijoya – may the blessings of the goddess bring well-being, joy and new beginnings to all.