Durga Puja Concludes with Idol Immersion in Khulna Rivers

The six-day Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations in Khulna came to an end on Wednesday afternoon with the immersion of idols of Goddess Durga in the Bhairab River along with other rivers across the district, amid a festive atmosphere.

The main immersion ceremony was held at Jailkhana Ghat on the Bhairab River in the city, where devotees gathered from the afternoon to bid farewell to the goddess after five days of worship.

The sound of traditional drums, ululation and emotional farewells marked the occasion, with devotees expressing a mixture of joy and sadness.

Devotees bid farewell to the goddess through various rituals, including exchanging Bijoya greetings and sindur khela (vermillion play), before immersing the idols in the rivers, marking the conclusion of the annual Hindu festival.

Authorities concerned took necessary measures to manage crowds and ensure security around the immersion sites.

Meanwhile, Biman Saha, general secretary of the Khulna District Puja Celebration Committee, expressed gratitude to all concerned for the peaceful completion of Durga Puja across the district's nine upazilas.

He thanked the authorities, organisers and other stakeholders for ensuring that the festival was celebrated safely and comfortably.

The committee had formed a monitoring cell, headed by convener Ratan Kumar Mitra and member-secretary Suman Das, to oversee the celebrations at 890 puja mandaps across nine upazilas and two municipalities in Khulna district.

The six-day celebrations, from October 16 to 21, were held in a festive atmosphere, the council said.

Biman Saha visited more than 200 puja mandaps and exchanged Sharadiya greetings with devotees during the celebrations.

"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Sanatan communities must remain united against all evil forces and conspiracies to protect religious harmony," he said.

He also expressed hope that the immersion of Goddess Durga would symbolise the destruction of evil forces and the triumph of good, helping strengthen peace, security, equality and brotherhood in society.

The devotees expressed hope that the annual festival would return next year, further strengthening the bonds of communal harmony and goodwill.