On immersion night in Old Dhaka, farewell sadness amid festival spirit: Durga bid goodbye to drumbeats from Shankhari Bazar to Lakshmibazar

Shankhari Bazar, Tantibazar and Lakshmibazar are vibrant with the sound of drums, cymbals and bells and the excitement of devotees. Flowers in some hands, tears in some eyes. Some are dancing, some are bidding farewell to Goddess Durga to the rhythm of songs. Amid the joy of the festival, sadness peeks into their minds; the goddess is returning to Kailash, leaving the mortal world for another year.

On the day of the goddess's immersion, the whole country became festive alongside the sadness. On the night of Bijoya Dashami, such scenes were seen in the Hindu-populated areas of Old Dhaka.

In this year's Durga Puja, there was extra splendour in Shankhari Bazar, Tantibazar, Lakshmibazar and surrounding areas. Crowds at pavilion after pavilion, lighting, dancing to drumbeats and collective joy made the festival days lively.

But as the moment of farewell on the night of Dashami draws nearer, the pain of separation mixes more and more into that atmosphere of joy. For many, it is also the moment when a few days of reunion come to an end.

In the lanes of Old Dhaka, Durga Puja is not limited only to religious formalities. Long-standing social bonds, family memories and the collective participation of neighbours have given this festival a distinct dimension. So at the moment of bidding farewell to the goddess, it is not only the end of a religious formality.

Preyoshi Chakraborty, present at a Puja pavilion in Shankhari Bazar, said, 'We wait all year for these days. During Puja we meet relatives, friends and familiar people. We all rejoice together. But when Dashami comes, it feels like why did the time end so quickly! While bidding farewell to the goddess, the mind feels sad even amid the joy.'

In her view, 'During the few days of Puja, even the familiar lanes of Old Dhaka seem to take a new form. People's movement at pavilions, decorations and cultural arrangements create a kind of collective joy. On the night of Dashami, the wait for next year returns within that very environment.'

Sunanda Saha, who took part in Puja arrangements in the Tantibazar area, said, 'I felt very good seeing people's participation and arrangements in this year's Puja. We all rejoiced together, visited places, spent time with familiar people. Now, as the time of the goddess's farewell has come, it feels like we will have to wait another year. I will miss the sound of drums and this pavilion atmosphere very much.'

In Old Dhaka's Durga Puja, especially on the night of Dashami, the expression of joy is also somewhat different. Through dancing to drumbeats, exchanging greetings with one another and preparations for idol immersion, devotees bid farewell to the goddess. In some places an emotional atmosphere is created among devotees before the farewell formalities.

Many pray to the goddess that she may return again next year with a message of joy and peace.

Suprabha Dutta, present at a Puja pavilion in Lakshmibazar, said, 'Goddess Durga is a symbol of strength, courage and hope to us. During Puja we all rejoice together. So when bidding farewell to her on Dashami, the mind becomes heavy. But within this farewell begins the wait for next year's Puja. We want everyone to be well, peace to prevail in society, and to be able to celebrate Puja with more joy next year.'

In this year's Puja, decorations and festival arrangements at various pavilions in Old Dhaka were eye-catching. Many came to pavilions with family members during the Puja days. Alongside local residents, the presence of people from surrounding areas also made various roads and lanes vibrant. In this festive atmosphere, alongside religious rituals, social contact and mutual harmony also came to the fore.

But after so many arrangements, on the farewell night a feeling of emptiness worked in devotees' minds alongside joy. As the busyness of a few days, crowds at pavilions and the opportunity to meet familiar faces came to an end, many became emotional. Some take photos to hold on to memories, some exchange greetings with acquaintances for the last time.

Meanwhile, Kotwali Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) K M Rabiul Islam expressed satisfaction over the overall security and law-and-order situation in Old Dhaka surrounding Durga Puja. He said, 'This year Durga Puja was completed beautifully in Old Dhaka. Necessary measures had been taken by law enforcement agencies so that a peaceful environment was maintained at various pavilions centred on Puja. With the cooperation of Puja organisers, local residents and everyone concerned, it was possible to keep the overall situation normal.'

He said, 'Duty was performed considering the location of Puja pavilions in Old Dhaka areas, people's movement and crowd gatherings during the festival. Efforts were made to ensure security in coordination with organisers, so that devotees could take part in Puja formalities without hindrance. There was spontaneous participation of people during the festival days. All in all, we are satisfied that this year's Puja arrangements ended peacefully.'

As the night deepens, the farewell atmosphere becomes clearer in the lanes of Old Dhaka. Devotees' dancing and singing continue with the sound of drums, while tears gather in some eyes. Through this mixed feeling of joy and sadness they bid farewell to Goddess Durga. The goddess will leave, the pavilion lights will also dim at some point. Old Dhaka's familiar busyness will return. But in the minds of devotees of Shankhari Bazar, Tantibazar and Lakshmibazar will remain a few days of festival, time spent with loved ones and those emotional moments of Dashami night. Through the farewell, therefore, a new wait will begin, for next year's Durga Puja.