Vijayadashami

Bengali

Also known as: Dashami, Dussehra

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2026 Bengali Date

Vijayadashami

About Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Durga Puja, marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is celebrated with a mix of joy and emotion as devotees bid farewell to the goddess.

The day begins with Sindoor Khela, where married women apply vermillion to the goddess's idol and then to each other, wishing for a long and happy married life. This beautiful ritual is followed by emotional farewells at the pandals.

In the afternoon, grand processions carry the Durga idols to rivers and ponds for Visarjan (immersion). The air is filled with the cry of 'Aasche bochhor abar hobe!' (She will return again next year!) as devotees dance and sing.

The day also commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, as celebrated in the broader Dussehra tradition. In Bengal, the focus is on the goddess's victory and her return to her celestial abode on Mount Kailash.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

The fast on Vijayadashami is broken after the Visarjan ceremony.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Observe a light fast during the day.
Participate in the final pushpanjali and Sindoor Khela.
Join the Visarjan procession and accompany the goddess to the water body.
Break the fast after returning from the immersion.

Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The fast is broken after the Visarjan ceremony with prasad and a festive meal.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Sindoor (vermilion)Red flowers and garlandsConch shell and bellSweets and fruitsOfferings for Visarjan

Puja Procedure:

Perform the final pushpanjali at the pandal.
Apply sindoor to the goddess's idol (Sindoor Khela).
Exchange sindoor among married women.
Carry the idol in a grand procession for Visarjan.
Return home and distribute prasad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Sindoor Khela?

Sindoor Khela is a ritual where married women apply vermillion to Goddess Durga's idol and then to each other, wishing for a long and happy married life.

Q: Why is Visarjan performed?

Visarjan (immersion) symbolises the goddess's return to her celestial abode on Mount Kailash. The immersion in water represents the cycle of creation and dissolution.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.