Hindus say goodbye to Devi Durga

Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, ended yesterday with the immersion of idols of Goddess Durga across the country.

Devotees in tearful eyes bade farewell to the mother deity and her children -- Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh -- wishing Durga's return next year.

The ceremonial worship of the goddess ended with the celebrations of Bijoya Dashami and immersion of the idols of the deity and her children in rivers and other water bodies.

Durga Puja is the worship of “Shakti” (divine force) embodied in goddess Durga. It symbolises the battle between good and evil where the dark forces eventually succumb to the divine forces.

The annual religious festival began on October 15 with incarnation (Bodhon) of goddess Durga marking Mahashashthi.

Durga Puja was celebrated in over 31,000 mandaps across the country this year.