শুভ বিজয়া: আসছে বছর আবার হবে
Subho Bijoya: Durga on her way to Kailash

October 19: ‘Subho Bijoya’ to all our esteemed readers. The five-day-long Durga Puja, starting from Maha Shosthi to Bijoya Dashami, the greatest of the Hindu festivals, ended today with the solemn immersion of Goddess Durga idols. Bengalis wish each other ‘Subho Bijoya’ on the day of Bijoya Dashami, the day when Goddess supposedly returns back to her husband-Lord Shiva’s abode in Kailash.

Devotees’ thronged Puja mandaps to celebrate Bijoya Dashami by reciting the mantras and offering Pushpanjali (flowers to the goddess Durga) and praying for her blessings. Married Hindu women put vermilion (sindur) on each other’s forehead on the occasion. This is a part of the last celebration before the goddess is taken for immersion.

Bijoya Dashami is the special ceremony to reaffirm peace and good relations among the people. Families visit each other to share sweetmeats during the Dashami festivity. Students usually keep their books at the feet of Goddess Durga and seek her blessings.

Back home from the puja pandal on the day of Bijaya Dashami, the younger generation touch the feet of the elders, embrace the peers, bless the little ones and then do what Bengalis love most, that is, eat a variety of sweet dish.

Idol Immersion at Sadarghat Silchar on 19 October

However, just like the sudden moment of dullness on a Sunday evening when you realize that Monday is just a few hours away, the day of Bisarjan (idol immersion) is a similar feeling with the festive hangover fading away and coping with the realization that Durga Puja has finally coming to an end.

With a heavy heart, the devotees bid solemn farewell to their deity Goddess Durga and her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh through immersion of their idols in the water while inviting her to return to them next year. The most common phrase used by the Bengalis on the day of Bijoya Dashami is “আসছে বছর আবার হবে” (Asche bochor abar hobe). Hope is the last resort of people and so all remains in hope that next year all will again involve in puja celebrations.

Idol Immersion at Sadarghat Silchar on 19 October

At Silchar too, the day of Bijoya Dashami was celebrated across all puja pandals. Procession with idols for immersion in river Barak at Sadarghat started from early morning. The 1st idol to be immersed was that of the residence of the Kalwar’s. As per Silchar Municipal Board, a total of 367 idols of the Municipal area will be immersed at Sadarghat today. However, some of the idols will also be immersed tomorrow.

District administration and Municipality Board is all geared up for hassle free idol immersion on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami on 19 October. Railing has been fixed on the boat on the immersion ghat so that no untoward incident may happen. Further, the road near Banga Bhawan was not motorable since a couple of moths as the new bridge over river Barak is under construction. However, this particular road has now been made motorable so that after idol immersion, the vehicles can return back through this road. Slabs have also been put up over the drains.

Idol Immersion at Sadarghat Silchar on 19 October

Dr. S. Lakhsmanan, Deputy Commissioner Cachar has said that his entire team is all ready so that the immersion of idols is done in a disciplined way. He has personally monitored the situation at Sadarghat and has held round of meetings with officials of different departments. The officers and staff of Silchar Municipal board are also working round the clock in close liaison with the district administration.

Thus, all euphoria of Durga Puja 2018 comes at rest today. The festival which started on 16 October with Maha Saptami saw its culmination with Bijoya Dashami on 19 October. We also hope like all that is “আসছে বছর আবার হবে” (Asche bochor abar hobe).

‘Subho Bijoya’ to all the readers of way2barak. We hope to find you besides us in our future strides too.

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