Devotees across Northeast India bid farewell to Goddess Durga with emotional immersions, vibrant Sindoor Khela, and traditional processions. From Agartala’s historic Durgabari Puja to Guwahati’s colourful processions, Vijaya Dashami marked the end of Durga Puja 2025 under tightened security.
The five-day-long Durga Puja festival, one of the most awaited annual celebrations across the Northeast, came to an emotional conclusion on Thursday with the beginning of the immersion of idols on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami. Devotees across Tripura, Assam, and other north-eastern states bid farewell to Goddess Durga and her children with prayers, rituals, and heavy hearts as the grandeur of the festivities gave way to the solemnity of immersion.
Throughout the region, Chief Ministers and senior political leaders actively participated in rituals and pandal visits, reflecting the cultural and political significance of the festival. Security measures were tightened across key cities and immersion points to ensure smooth and peaceful celebrations.
Immersions Begin in Tripura and Assam
According to Tripura Police reports, only 18 percent of the nearly 3,000 idols across the state were immersed on Thursday, with most scheduled to be immersed over the next two to three days. The first immersion in Agartala, in keeping with tradition, was that of the Durgabari temple idols at Dashamighat, conducted with full state honours and accompanied by the state police band playing the national song.
In Guwahati, colourful immersion processions moved through the streets before idols were taken to the Brahmaputra and other major rivers for immersion. Similar scenes unfolded in towns and cities across Assam and Tripura, while Manipur, scarred by recent ethnic violence, witnessed more subdued celebrations. Smaller-scale pujas were also held in Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram, where the Christian population is predominant.
Sindoor Khela: A Celebration Before Farewell
Amidst the sadness of parting with the Goddess, married women across Tripura, Assam, and other north-eastern states participated in Sindoor Khela on Vijaya Dashami. Following age-old traditions, women offered vermillion, sweets, and betel leaves to the Goddess before applying sindoor on each other’s faces, symbolizing prosperity and marital bliss. The sight of women draped in red and white sarees, their faces adorned with sindoor, added a vibrant farewell touch to the otherwise emotional day.
Themes and Cultural Narratives Dominate Pandal Decorations
Durga Puja pandals across the Northeast showcased themes inspired by traditional culture, historical events, and pressing contemporary issues. Many pandals incorporated designs reflecting India’s freedom struggle, regional heritage, and environmental awareness. These thematic decorations not only drew large crowds but also served as platforms for social messages during the festival.
Durgabari Temple’s Historic Significance
The 149-year-old Durga Puja at the iconic Durgabari temple in Agartala continues to occupy a special place in the state’s cultural and religious calendar. Originally initiated by the Tripura kings, the festival has been sponsored by the state government for over seven decades. Even after Tripura’s merger with the Indian Union in October 1949, the government has continued to uphold its responsibility to sponsor this temple festival, a condition outlined in the merger agreement. This unique tradition sets Tripura apart as possibly the only state where the government officially sponsors such an old and significant Durga Puja.
The puja attracts devotees not just from across India but also from neighbouring Bangladesh, strengthening cultural ties across borders. The participation of the erstwhile royal family of Tripura, alongside the West Tripura District administration, ensures the legacy of the festival remains vibrant.
Border Vigil Amid Regional Unrest
This year’s celebrations unfolded against a backdrop of regional and international tension. With unrest in Bangladesh, authorities in Tripura and Assam heightened security along the international border. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been asked to maintain strict vigil to prevent infiltration attempts and cross-border movement of inimical elements during the festivities.
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Despite the challenges, Durga Puja 2025 across the Northeast once again highlighted the resilience of faith and tradition. From the grandeur of pandals to the emotional moments of farewell during immersion, the festival underscored the shared cultural identity of the region. For devotees, bidding adieu to the Goddess was a moment filled with both sorrow and hope, as they prayed for her return next year.
