Immersion of Idols after Durga Puja: Rituals and Significance
On Maha Dashami, the 10th day the Durga Puja festival comes to an end. Idol of Goddess Durga is then taken out of the pandal (temporary structures for worshiping) in trucks. She is taken to nearby water bodies and immersed there, it is known a Bishorjon or Durga Visarjan.
Large processions of devotees follow the idol, traffic comes to a halt and the idol that was made of clay merges back with earth.
You can check dates of Vijaya Dashami here: Dates of Durga Puja
Immersion of Idols
A small ritual of the priest ending the puja takes place. The belief associated with this is that Goddess Durga descends on earth, her father’s home, hence the rejoicing and celebrations.
After ten days she is now returning to her husband Lord Shiva in heaven. Priest with concurrence of the community gives permission to Goddess to leave earth for Her husband’s home in heaven.
Here the community represents us that is Her parents. The ritual is the act of cutting the holy red thread tied around the kalash (pot) that held the prana of the murti (spirit of the idol).
Women indulge in Sindur Khela and men do kola-koli.
In Bangalore a special cemented section of Ulsoor Lake is marked for all Bishorjons. Bengali devotees dressed in traditional attire come to have one final darshan of Maa Durga and the lucky ones get to touch Her feet too before the immersion.
I positioned myself near the lake well ahead of time to see the processions arrive one by one. Sharing with you a short photo essay with some of the pictures taken just before the immersion of the idols.
Visarjan of Idols worshiped in Durga Puja
One by one all the idols that were worshiped by the devotees are immersed in water, the first one is always the idol of Maa Durga.
Many pandal associations of Durga Puja in Bangalore bring the idols to Ulsoor Lake for immersion. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, BBMP, had made good arrangements at the immersion spot. I saw people pulling out frames of the idols, sorting out the garbage, hope they are categorized and disposed off well.
Immersion of idols after Durga Puja
I saw these idols right from the stages when it was just a lump of clay. Every item that went to making these idols is biodegradable. No fiber glass or plaster of paris used. The idol makers from Kamartuli, not very highly educated yet, they proved themselves to be eco friendly.
It is stillness after immersion of Goddess Durga idols, and of course lot of mess. The lake authorities get busy clearing up the bio degradable stuffs and sorting them in different piles.
Idol Immersion in Ulsoor Lake Bangalore
Lake authorities sorting the immersion remains
Meanwhile the purohit who did the last ritual before immersion collects some water in a pot back to the pandal where the puja was conducted. This water is considered holy and is termed Shanti Jol. Those who could not go to witness the immersion sprinkle this water on themselves.
The night of Dashami is a strange mix of sorrow and happiness! Happy that Goddess Durga has rid the earth of evil Mahisasur, but sad because She has left for Her maternal home. Just like how parents feel when their married daughter return’s to her marital place after a few days of visit to her parent’s place.
Nevertheless sweets are distributed, greetings of Shubho Bijoya are exchanged, people indulge in non veg food and variety entertainment programs are held.
and many beautiful photos as well! 🙂
Now I have watched all your posts on this site, about that tradition, very interesting to learn.. 🙂
This is one really emotional moment for some people! Awaiting my turn to see this festival actually…
Pixellicious Photos
oh! the bassan days…loved the bhang and the great food after that 🙂
great pics indrani and what i appreciate in u is your whole hearted spirit and devotion.keep it up!!
You braved the crowds for those lovely pictures.
I always like to see the cultures and traditions of the people all over the world. Very interesting post, Indrani, with really beautiful images.
Very interesting and great photos! Thanks for sharing!
The diversity of human culture is simply astounding.
I truly enjoyed your post today. I know nothing about your culture and it was most interesting to see and learn about this. Thanks for sharing a small part of your world.
Amazing!
Great snaps…..so long as the idol is of clay, its a fine, feel good celebration. But its always sad to see Plaster and plastic material chocking the waters just like in the aftermath of Ganapati festival.
Fantastic capture!! I can just imagine how festivity and the euphoria surrounding this event!! Is there dancing and music as well?
Nice to learn so much information from your blog about your culture. Nice photos. Have a nice weekend.
What a great wealth of culture in India. Some great photos and some words are very interesting.
very colourful deities. thanks for sharing your world.
Someday I'd like to see it all firsthand in Kolkata. Thanks for sharing these from Bangalore.
nice and colorful….i like this.
greetings, Joop
I used to enjoy seeing the Ganpati immersions when I was a kid! These days, I hardly go anywhere near thanks to the crowd, and also the mess that people end up making! guess Durga puja immersions wouldnt be so crowded, mainly attended by Bengalis??? Wish I could attend one!
And their outfits, too are so ornate. I would love to see this festival!
Thanks f0r the fascinating photos and hist0ry behind it.
it's your birthday lightbluelife the secret of existence
The cultures and traditions of the people of the world are such interesting posts to see…this is so colorful and special. I would love to see this with my own eyes…beautiful Indrani!
I would love to experience these events firsthand. Your accounts of them are stunning.
I have enjoyed learning about the festival and your shots are great. I like all of them but the first one in is my favorite of this post.
What an interesting festival!
This has been a fascinating series. Thank you so much for the information and the pictures.
Such a colourful idol.
So colourful.
Great photos, I also love learning about other religions, traditions and cultures. You were able to get some amazing shots.
so glad you were able to fulfill your meme duties while continuing with this noteworthy series.
fascinating and beautiful
Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral
><}}(°>
Once again, you were in the right place at the right time for the perfect shot! The story and the photos are rich in detail, color and culture.
nice post. traditions are to be shared.
I have to repeat what Richies has written, I too, love learning about other religions, cultures and customs and this is a terrific post as always, Indrani! Love your photos!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
I always enjoy learning about other religions, cultures and customs. Thanks for another great post.
An Arkies Musings