During the entire year, we await the 10 long days of Maa’s celebrations. These 10 days emanate an eternal bliss that lasts within us forever. These days are not just to celebrate, but also to gather the unconditional blessings of Maa. For her devotees, these 10 days hold great significance, as they offer their divine prayers to Maa. The celebrations unveil an unparalleled joy that breaks all the boundaries of our ecstasy.
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and joy by the devotees, symbolizing the eternal triumph of good over evil. While the ten days pass in the blink of an eye with pandal hopping, eating out, and receiving unconditional blessings of Maa Durga, the hardest time comes when we have to bid farewell to the Goddess. ‘Visarjan’, or the final farewell to Maa Durga is often the hardest task.
The Significance of Durga Visarjan
Durga Visarjan signifies the end of Durga Puja, which occurs on Dashami, the tenth day of the festival. According to our Hindu mythology, the immersion signifies her joyous return to her heavenly abode on Mount Kailash. She thus reunites with her better half, Lord Shiva. The immersion symbolically represents the cyclical nature of life and death, creation and destruction.
When Maa leaves the earthly realm and departs for her own, all she leaves behind is boundless peace, joy, and blessings for her devotees.
Visarjan- A Heartfelt ‘Goodbye’ To Maa
As Vijaya Dashami dawns, there’s a different feel to the celebrations. We see the streets flooded with numerous people carrying giant idols of Maa Durga for immersion. Maa’s idols are beautifully adorned with flowers and ornaments, as she embarks on her final journey!
Several roads become congested and noisy, as huge crowds gather to see Maa off, especially in Cuttack. While the celebration vibes are felt everywhere in Odisha, at Cuttack they peak. Harmonious Chants of ‘Jai Maa Durga’, and ‘Bolo Durga Mai Ki’ echo all across. Men who accompany the idols for the visarjan elevate the festive spirit by playing the traditional drums, while the people surrounding the idols dance joyously to the mesmerizing rhythms. There’s an overwhelming feel in the celebrations, which are particularly sparked by the ancient musical instruments from Odisha, such as dhols and Mardalas, coupled with the enchanting sounds of the cymbals.
The processions halt briefly at various points for the devotees to seek Maa’s blessings, till she arrives next year. Cultural performances take place to honor Maa in the silver city of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar with colorful tribal dances adding to the joy!
Performers from different states also make the celebrations blissful. Once the procession reaches the water bodies, people in unison drown the idols. Devotees believe that Maa Durga dissolves into the elements, signifying her cosmic power and eternal presence.
Celebrating an Eco-Friendly Dussehra
Being Maa’s devotees, protecting and conserving nature’s beauty has always been our primary concern. We must ensure that the entire process involved in the festivities, from construction to visarjan should never have a detrimental impact on our environment.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to foster eco-friendly Durga Puja celebrations. Earlier people incorporated the traditional ways of making Maa Durga’s idols, using clay and other organic materials, which dissolved into the water bodies quite easily. However, there has now been a shift in the practice, with the maximum usage of the plaster of Paris and chemical-based paints to construct Durga idols.
Keeping the current malpractices and our environment’s safety in view, several Durga Puja committees and environmental organizations have laid a strong emphasis on the use of natural clay, eco-friendly paints, and biodegradable decorations. Adequate steps have also been taken to preserve our marine ecosystem, by setting up separate immersion ponds and artificial tanks.
So how has your puja been? Your wait for next year’s Puja has already begun, right? Share your Durga Puja experience with us in our comment box.
During the entire year, we await the 10 long days of Maa’s celebrations. These 10 days emanate an eternal bliss that lasts within us forever. These days are not just to celebrate, but also to gather the unconditional blessings of Maa. For her devotees, these 10 days hold great significance, as they offer their divine prayers to Maa. The celebrations unveil an unparalleled joy that breaks all the boundaries of our ecstasy.
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and joy by the devotees, symbolizing the eternal triumph of good over evil. While the ten days pass in the blink of an eye with pandal hopping, eating out, and receiving unconditional blessings of Maa Durga, the hardest time comes when we have to bid farewell to the Goddess. ‘Visarjan’, or the final farewell to Maa Durga is often the hardest task.
The Significance of Durga Visarjan
Durga Visarjan signifies the end of Durga Puja, which occurs on Dashami, the tenth day of the festival. According to our Hindu mythology, the immersion signifies her joyous return to her heavenly abode on Mount Kailash. She thus reunites with her better half, Lord Shiva. The immersion symbolically represents the cyclical nature of life and death, creation and destruction.
When Maa leaves the earthly realm and departs for her own, all she leaves behind is boundless peace, joy, and blessings for her devotees.
Visarjan- A Heartfelt ‘Goodbye’ To Maa
As Vijaya Dashami dawns, there’s a different feel to the celebrations. We see the streets flooded with numerous people carrying giant idols of Maa Durga for immersion. Maa’s idols are beautifully adorned with flowers and ornaments, as she embarks on her final journey!
Several roads become congested and noisy, as huge crowds gather to see Maa off, especially in Cuttack. While the celebration vibes are felt everywhere in Odisha, at Cuttack they peak. Harmonious Chants of ‘Jai Maa Durga’, and ‘Bolo Durga Mai Ki’ echo all across. Men who accompany the idols for the visarjan elevate the festive spirit by playing the traditional drums, while the people surrounding the idols dance joyously to the mesmerizing rhythms. There’s an overwhelming feel in the celebrations, which are particularly sparked by the ancient musical instruments from Odisha, such as dhols and Mardalas, coupled with the enchanting sounds of the cymbals.
The processions halt briefly at various points for the devotees to seek Maa’s blessings, till she arrives next year. Cultural performances take place to honor Maa in the silver city of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar with colorful tribal dances adding to the joy!
Performers from different states also make the celebrations blissful. Once the procession reaches the water bodies, people in unison drown the idols. Devotees believe that Maa Durga dissolves into the elements, signifying her cosmic power and eternal presence.
Celebrating an Eco-Friendly Dussehra
Being Maa’s devotees, protecting and conserving nature’s beauty has always been our primary concern. We must ensure that the entire process involved in the festivities, from construction to visarjan should never have a detrimental impact on our environment.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to foster eco-friendly Durga Puja celebrations. Earlier people incorporated the traditional ways of making Maa Durga’s idols, using clay and other organic materials, which dissolved into the water bodies quite easily. However, there has now been a shift in the practice, with the maximum usage of the plaster of Paris and chemical-based paints to construct Durga idols.
Keeping the current malpractices and our environment’s safety in view, several Durga Puja committees and environmental organizations have laid a strong emphasis on the use of natural clay, eco-friendly paints, and biodegradable decorations. Adequate steps have also been taken to preserve our marine ecosystem, by setting up separate immersion ponds and artificial tanks.
So how has your puja been? Your wait for next year’s Puja has already begun, right? Share your Durga Puja experience with us in our comment box.
