The celebrations for Durga Puja concluded in Odisha on Wednesday, October 21st, as devotees took part in various rituals marking the end of the festival through their devotion to the goddess. Many gathered at puja pandals in Odisha in order to mark the end of festivities.
In Bhubaneswar, Ravan Podi was celebrated in various places, including those like Patia and Baramunda, where there were large crowds. The effigies of demon king Ravana as well as those of Kumbhakarna and Meghnad were burned amidst fireworks and celebrations. The colourful celebrations became a major attraction for families, children and youth who visited the sites of celebration.
The Ravan Podi celebration has been held for about ten years at Patia, and that of Baramunda was organised once again every year at this place.
At the same time, the Sindoor Khela ritual took place in some puja pandals in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Sambalpur among the Bengalis. During the ritual, married women pray to Goddess Durga and apply vermilion on each other in the hopes that happiness, prosperity and good health will come to their families. The tradition is usually performed on the last day of Durga Puja and is filled with colourful costumes, emotions and a strong community atmosphere.
The devotees would go to the pandals and ask for blessings from the goddess before the immersion of the idol.
Farewell is performed with great joy and emotion since Vijaya Dashami stands for the victory of good over evil and is the end of the annual celebration.
Thus, through such religious rituals as Sindoor Khela, idol immersion and Ravan Podi, people could witness a combination of religious tradition, cultural gathering and community celebration, looking forward to meeting Goddess Durga the next year.
