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Dashami celebrations mark the end of Durga Puja

KOLKATA: The celebrations reached a fevered pitch with drums, dancing and abir as curtains came down on Durga Puja festivities. Thousands made their way to the riverbanks across West Bengal on Sunday.

Prediction of rains could not dampen the spirit of the revellers as the colours of the abir merged with that of the sindoor (vermillion) when the last of the rituals were performed before the idols were lowered into the waters.

At pandals across the State, the day began with the somber darpan bisarjan, a ritual farewell to the Goddess performed by observing her reflection in a mirror. This was followed by the sindoor khela — a ceremony that is the preserve of married women, who feed sweets and dab the vermillion powder on the forehead of the deity and exchange it among one another.

As the processions began, the sounds of the dhak and cymbals could be heard from afar. Accompanied by enthusiastic dancing from the revelers, fistfuls of abir were tossed into the air with slogans shouting the praise of the Goddess.

As the day progressed, some idols were immersed in ponds or lakes, but most processions began to converge to designated spots along the river banks. The crowds that gathered at the riverbanks to watch the immersion and catch a glimpse of the various idols from across the city only grew in numbers as the day wore on.

As more and more processions gathered at the riverbanks, the air grew hazy with the smoke from burning coconut husks in earthen wares.

The immersion of idols — ranging in size from just about a foot to well over 10 feet — began in the early afternoon, but the ceremony will go on well into the night and continue for another couple of days.

The police maintained a strict vigil on the proceedings to ensure no accidents marred the festivities for the day, particularly at the riverbanks.

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