Bijaya Dashami Celebrations Across West Bengal Amid Rain Disruptions to Sindoor Khela

Bijaya Dashami marked the end of Durga Puja in West Bengal, featuring traditional rituals like sindoor khela, despite rain interruptions. The immersion of idols took place with grandeur as devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga.

Bijaya Dashami, marking the end of Durga Puja, was celebrated across West Bengal on Thursday. Traditional rituals like ghot visarjan and sindoor khela took place despite the rain. In Kolkata, women dressed in red-bordered sarees participated in sindoor khela at pandals such as Bagbazar and Kumartuli Sarbojonin. State minister Sashi Panja joined these celebrations, which symbolise married women's prayers for their families' well-being.

Idol Immersions and Rituals

The immersion of idols began in the afternoon. Various households, including Sobhabazar Rajbari in Kolkata and Kasimbazar Rajbari in Baharampur, conducted the rituals with grandeur. Belur Math of the Ramakrishna Mission also adhered to traditional practices. Many gathered by rivers and waterbodies to witness these immersions, bidding farewell to Goddess Durga.

Efforts for Cleanliness

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata initiated a special cleanliness drive to clear debris from the Hooghly river after idol immersions. This effort will continue until Sunday and resume from October 21 to 24 during Kali Puja idol immersions. The operation involves barricading immersion points and using cranes and boats to retrieve idols, preventing river pollution.

Cultural Celebrations

Meanwhile, a 60-foot Ravan effigy was burned at Central Park in Salt Lake as part of Dussehra festivities. Organised by Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad and Sanmarg, the event also featured 50-foot effigies of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran. Over 25,000 attendees, including state ministers, film stars, and industrialists, enjoyed cultural performances during the event.

Weather Challenges

Rain caused brief disruptions to sindoor khela rituals and inconvenienced those engaged in last-minute pandal hopping before immersions. The rain was due to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal affecting south Bengal, including Kolkata. Despite this, celebrations continued with enthusiasm across the region.

At Taki in North 24 Parganas district, idol immersions in the Ichamati river were held under tight security. Thousands from India and Bangladesh gathered on both banks to witness this spectacle as idols were immersed from boats. The river serves as a border between the two countries.

Police ensured adequate arrangements for peaceful idol immersions. However, some community pujas in Kolkata postponed their immersions since Thursday is considered inauspicious for such rituals. These organisers plan to conduct immersions on Friday instead.

A select number of community pujas from Kolkata will participate in a carnival organised by the state government. This event will feature tableaus with idols and cultural presentations by various participants. The carnival aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage associated with Durga Puja.

Political leaders extended greetings on this occasion. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for peace and harmony among people, while Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also conveyed his best wishes to the state's residents.

Despite weather challenges and scheduling adjustments, Bijaya Dashami celebrations concluded with traditional fervour across West Bengal. The festivities highlighted cultural richness while ensuring environmental responsibility through cleanliness drives around immersion sites.

With inputs from PTI