Vijaya Dashami 2025 Celebrated: The festival of Vijaya Dashami 2025, marking the culmination of the five-day Durga Puja celebrations, was observed with grandeur, devotion, and deep cultural emotion across West Bengal on Thursday. Despite intermittent rainfall in several districts, the rituals of Sindoor Khela, pandal hopping, and the symbolic farewell to Goddess Durga were carried out with fervour. The day, synonymous with both joy and melancholy, brought together millions of devotees, cultural groups, and communities in a shared moment of celebration and farewell.
Sindoor Khela: A Celebration of Togetherness and Tradition
One of the most iconic rituals of Vijaya Dashami is Sindoor Khela (the vermillion game), where married women smear sindoor (vermilion) on the idol of Goddess Durga and on each other’s faces, praying for the long lives of their husbands and prosperity of their families.
In Kolkata, especially at famous puja pandals like Bagbazar, Kumartuli Park, and Deshapriya Park, thousands of women clad in traditional red-bordered white sarees gathered to participate in Sindoor Khela. The air turned crimson as women applied sindoor on each other, exchanged sweets, and chanted in unison, “Asche bochhor abar hobe” (It will happen again next year).
This ritual, rooted in centuries-old tradition, is seen not just as a religious act but also as a celebration of feminine energy and solidarity, as Durga herself is revered as the supreme embodiment of shakti (power).
Vijaya Dashami 2025 Celebrated: Rain Showers Couldn’t Dampen the Spirit
This year, parts of Bengal experienced rainfall on Vijaya Dashami due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Cities like Kolkata, Howrah, and Siliguri reported spells of rain, which temporarily slowed down pandal visits. However, crowds quickly returned once the skies cleared, reaffirming the resilience of Bengal’s festive spirit.
In Kolkata, despite waterlogging in some areas, devotees thronged to witness the last glimpse of the goddess (darshan) before the immersion. From small community pujas in local neighbourhoods to large-scale themed pandals organised by major clubs, the devotion was unshaken.
For real-time weather updates in West Bengal, citizens referred to the India Meteorological Department.
Emotional Farewell: Durga Immersion Ceremonies
The immersion of Durga idols (Visarjan) began in the afternoon and continued late into the night. Thousands of idols were taken in grand processions across Kolkata, escorted by music, dance, and fireworks, before being immersed in the Hooghly River and other water bodies.
The immersion process is both festive and deeply emotional. Families and puja organisers chanted slogans like “Bolo Durga Mai ki Jai” and the hopeful “Asche bochhor abar hobe” while dancing to the beats of dhak (traditional drums). Many devotees wept as they bid farewell to Durga, symbolising the departure of the mother goddess back to her celestial abode in Mount Kailash.
Authorities in Bengal, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the West Bengal Police, made elaborate arrangements for immersion, setting up multiple ghats to prevent overcrowding and ensure safety.
Pandal Hopping: From Artistic Marvels to Cultural Statements
Durga Puja pandals across Bengal are globally renowned for their creativity, themes, and grandeur. In 2025, several pandals in Kolkata embraced themes ranging from climate change awareness and digital transformation to Bengal’s folk traditions.
- Sreebhumi Sporting Club created a pandal inspired by Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, blending Hindu traditions across regions.
- Ekdalia Evergreen Club showcased Bengal’s rich terracotta artistry.
- Behala Barisha Club made a strong social statement with a pandal highlighting women empowerment and gender equality.
Even with rain interruptions, pandal hopping remained a cultural ritual for families, youngsters, and tourists. The artistic brilliance, lighting displays, and innovative craftsmanship once again reaffirmed Durga Puja as not just a religious event but a cultural carnival of Bengal.
Durga Puja: From Bengal to the World
Durga Puja in Bengal has grown into a global cultural phenomenon. In 2021, UNESCO recognised Durga Puja in Kolkata as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, further cementing its status as one of the world’s greatest cultural festivals.
In 2025, Bengalis living abroad—from New Jersey to London, Singapore to Berlin—also celebrated Vijaya Dashami in community gatherings, organising idol immersions and Sindoor Khela on smaller scales. Social media platforms were flooded with live visuals from Kolkata, enabling global audiences to be part of the celebrations.
For cultural documentation, UNESCO’s official listing on Durga Puja Heritage offers global recognition of Bengal’s most vibrant festival.
Blending Tradition with Modernity
Over the years, Vijaya Dashami has transformed from a religious farewell ritual into a community festival blending tradition with modernity. In 2025, eco-friendly immersions gained traction as the West Bengal Pollution Control Board mandated the use of biodegradable materials for idols and banned plastic decorations. Many puja committees also opted for artificial immersion tanks to reduce the burden on rivers.
The blend of digital technology was evident this year as well. Several major pujas offered 360-degree virtual tours, AI-generated lighting effects, and QR codes for donations, ensuring inclusivity for those who could not physically attend.
Political Leaders and Celebrities Join Celebrations
Prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, participated in Sindoor Khela in Kolkata, blessing women and exchanging greetings. BJP leaders also visited pandals, underlining the festival’s political significance in Bengal.
Tollywood celebrities, cricketers, and musicians joined the celebrations, with many posting festive pictures on social media. The presence of stars like Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, and Sourav Ganguly added glamour to the traditional festivities.
A Festival of Unity Beyond Religion
Durga Puja and Vijaya Dashami in Bengal transcend religious boundaries. People from all communities — Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs — participate in pandal hopping, feasting, and cultural programmes. The festival has grown into a shared heritage of Bengal’s secular ethos, where artistry and joy dominate over divisions.
Food stalls selling mishti (sweets), puchkas (pani puri), rolls, and mutton biryani did brisk business, showcasing Bengal’s gastronomic diversity during the celebrations.
The Economic and Tourism Impact
Durga Puja is also an economic engine for Bengal. The British Council’s 2021 study highlighted that the festival contributes nearly INR 32,000 crore annually to Bengal’s economy, supporting artisans, idol-makers, decorators, and small businesses.
In 2025, the tourism sector once again witnessed record footfalls as visitors from across India and abroad came to witness the splendour. Hotels, transport services, and local businesses saw a surge in activity, reaffirming Durga Puja’s role as both a spiritual and economic celebration.
For official tourism details, the West Bengal Tourism Department offers insights into cultural festivals across the state.
Looking Ahead: The Eternal Promise of “Asche Bochhor Abar Hobe”
As the idols were immersed and the beats of the dhak faded into the night, Bengal held on to its eternal promise — “Asche bochhor abar hobe” (It will happen again next year). The festival of Vijaya Dashami may symbolise the departure of Goddess Durga, but it also embodies hope, renewal, and the cyclical rhythm of Bengali life.
From the grandeur of Kolkata’s themed pandals to the humble celebrations in rural villages, the 2025 Vijaya Dashami once again demonstrated why Durga Puja is not just a religious festival but a cultural heartbeat of Bengal.
External References for Further Reading
- India Meteorological Department – Weather Updates
- UNESCO – Durga Puja in Kolkata, Intangible Heritage Listing
- West Bengal Tourism Department
- West Bengal Pollution Control Board – Eco-friendly Guidelines
- Election Commission of India – West Bengal Updates
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