Hindu devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga with tearful eyes, marking the end of the grand Durga Puja festival. The festivities culminate with the immersion of idols, signaling the wait for another year until the next Durga Puja.
On Sunday (October 13) at 3:00pm, processions from various temples in Dhaka began, leading to the central immersion event.
The main Bijaya procession started from the Dhakeshwari Temple, where the majority of the capital's pujamandaps joined. The idols will be immersed in the Buriganga River at Wiseghat in Sadarghat before evening. Devotees will also perform the ritual of Shantijal after the immersion.
In anticipation of the procession, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has implemented special security measures nationwide to ensure a smooth and celebratory event. A dog squad, bomb disposal unit, crime scene team, and SWAT unit have been deployed for heightened security during the Dasami procession and idol immersion. Three watchtowers have been set up at Palashir Mor, Raisaheb Bazar, and Wiseghat for surveillance.
Following Hindu customs, the Bijaya Dashami Puja is observed with rituals involving offerings of jara, paan, and shapla dala. After the puja, devotees partake in the traditional sindoor khela (vermilion play), and with the evening aarti, the mood shifts to one of melancholy as Goddess Durga is believed to return to her celestial abode in Kailash after vanquishing the demon Mahishasura.
For five days, an atmosphere of joy and excitement has filled the temples across the country. The sound of drums, bells, and conch shells, along with the chanting of mantras, created a spiritually uplifting environment. Thousands of devotees, including people from various communities, flocked to the temples, especially during Mahanabami and Dashami, to offer prayers and seek blessings.
In Dhaka, several mandaps witnessed an influx of devotees from morning till evening. Families, dressed in new clothes, came together to celebrate, with children being a notable presence. Streets near the temples were filled with vendors selling food and festive items, contributing to the joyous atmosphere.
The capital’s different areas have been beautifully decorated, with mandaps featuring colorful arches and lights.
The countdown to this year's Durga Puja began with Mahalaya on October 2, and the five-day celebration started on October 9 with Shashti. The festival included Mahasaptami on Thursday, followed by Kumari Puja, Mahaashtami, and Sandhi Puja on Friday. Across the country, Durga Puja is being celebrated in 31,461 mandaps, with 252 of them located in Dhaka.