Agartala, Oct 21: An emotional farewell to Goddess Durga marked Maha Dashami in Tripura on Wednesday as the five-day festival drew to a close, with immersion processions carrying idols to rivers and other water bodies amid drumbeats, traditional music and prayers for the goddess’s return next year.
In the state capital Agartala, immersion ceremonies began in the afternoon at Dasami Ghat on the Howrah River, with the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and police making arrangements to ensure the rituals proceeded peacefully and safely.
Women participated in the traditional ‘Sindoor Khela’, smearing vermilion on one another’s faces and exchanging greetings and wishes for the well-being of their families. The ritual, observed on the final day of Durga Puja, was accompanied by emotional farewells as devotees prepared to bid goodbye to the goddess.
“We have come to welcome the goddess before bidding her farewell. We are praying for everyone’s well-being and exchanging Vijayadashami greetings. With the hope that she will return next year, we are saying goodbye to her,” said Binita Barman, a participant in the ritual.
Another participant, Barnali Taran, said devotees were saddened by the goddess’s departure but remained hopeful of welcoming her again next year. She expressed the wish that the goddess would destroy evil forces and bring prosperity and happiness to all.
The celebrations also attracted international visitors. An Italian tourist, who said it was his first visit to Agartala during Durga Puja, described the experience as deeply emotional.
Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumdar said the civic body, police and district administration had made arrangements to ensure safe and orderly immersion, with support from health officials and other departments to respond to any emergency. Volunteers and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were also deployed as part of the safety measures.
Majumdar said arrangements had been made at around 17 immersion points across Agartala to facilitate the smooth movement of processions and the immersion of idols.
Recalling earlier years, the mayor said immersion processions had witnessed clashes, scuffles and other disturbances in the past, but claimed that the situation had improved significantly in recent years.
He attributed the changes to improved law and order and coordinated efforts by the administration, police, civic authorities and puja organisers. He also said the number of pujas and visitors had increased across the state.
Majumdar said the immersion-related celebrations had increasingly become a tourism attraction, drawing visitors from different parts of India and abroad.
He added that the AMC was preparing for the ‘Mayer Gomon’ programme scheduled for October 23, an event associated with the ceremonial departure of Goddess Durga. The programme has attracted growing public interest in recent years, he said, adding that visitors from abroad were also expected to attend this year’s event.
The immersion marks the conclusion of the goddess’s annual visit to her parental home before she returns to Mount Kailash, according to Hindu tradition.
