Bijoya Dashami today

The biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, Durga Puja, concludes today (Thursday, October 2) with the celebration of Bijoya Dashami. The five-day Sharadiya festival will end with the immersion of idols of Goddess Durga across the country.

In the morning, temples and puja mandaps will hold Bihit Puj, followed by the traditional Darpan Bisarjan and immersion ceremonies. Throughout the day, idols will be taken out in colorful processions for immersion at local rivers and water bodies.

According to Hindu scriptures, Bijoya Dashami marks the day when Goddess Durga departs from the mortal world and returns to her heavenly abode at Kailash.

Devotees believe the occasion symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the need to cast away negative human traits such as lust, anger, envy and greed. The festival seeks to inspire harmony, brotherhood and peace among all.

Before the farewell of the Goddess, married women will observe the traditional Sindoor Khela (Vermilion Festival), smearing each other with vermilion as a prayer for their husbands’ long life and family well-being. After offering sweets and vermilion to the Goddess, women will exchange the ritual among themselves. The day’s festivities will conclude with the final prayers to Goddess Durga.