শুভ বিজয়া
Bijoya Dashami (Vijaya Dashami) and Dussehra mark one of India’s grandest cultural festivals—a celebration of victory, new beginnings, and the enduring triumph of good over evil. While both festivals are observed at the same time, the rituals, myths, and emotional layers vary across the subcontinent, making the occasion a tapestry of unifying traditions and diverse local flavours.
Maa Dugga’s Agomon (Arrival) and Gomon (Departure)
The legend of Maa Durga’s arrival (agomon) and departure (gomon) lies at the heart of Durga Puja’s emotional resonance in Bengal and other regions that revere the goddess’s autumnal journey. According to mythology, the earth is graced with her visit when the gods, threatened by the demon Mahishasura’s tyranny, combine their energies to create a divine warrior—Durga. Empowered with the celestial weapons and blessings of all gods, Durga descends riding a lion, engages Mahishasura in a cosmic battle, and ultimately vanquishes him, restoring peace and righteousness to the world. Durga Puja thus stands as a tribute to the invincible power of the feminine, the victory of virtue, and the protection of the innocent.
Bengali tradition imbues Durga’s visit with a dual symbolism. The goddess, daughter of the Himalayas, is believed to visit her paternal home on earth, accompanied by her children, during the time of the Puja. Her arrival brings joy and the promise of protection and abundance—her agomon is a homecoming steeped in love, nostalgia, and celebration. As the festival concludes, her departure (gomon) on Vijayadashami is marked by processions, music, and tears, signifying the bittersweet farewell of a daughter leaving her parents’ house, returning to her consort Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash. This moment resonates with the universal emotion of separation and the hope of reunion, embodying the cycles of time and life itself.
Divine Vehicles: Symbolism of Maa’s Mount
A unique and cherished aspect of Durga Puja is the belief that the goddess’s chosen vehicle, or vahana, for both arrival and departure, changes every year based on astrological and traditional calculations. The nature of her vahana is interpreted as an omen for the coming year:
- Arrival on an elephant (gaja) heralds abundant rainfall and prosperity.
- Arrival on a boat (nouka) promises fulfilled desires and smooth journeys.
- Arrival on a horse (ghotok) is seen as a sign of unrest or possible wars.
- Arrival on a palanquin (palki suggests caution or moderate challenges.
- The mode of her departure—whether on a human, buffalo, rooster, and so forth—is likewise taken as an augury, with each vehicle believed to shape the fortunes, stability, and peace of the coming year.
Thus, the myth of Maa Durga’s agomon and gomon is not only a cosmic tale of good conquering evil but also a deeply personal story of homecoming, maternal love, and farewell, blending the mystical, emotional, and practical wisdom that underpins the festival’s enduring appeal
In 2025, Maa Durga arrived riding an elephant (gaja) and depart on a palanquin (palki)..
Bijoya Dashami in Bengal: Rituals and Symbolism
- The festival’s culmination is the immersion (visarjan) of Durga idols in rivers or lakes, accompanied by drums, dances, and the joyful-antiphonal chant of “Bolo Durga Mai Ki Joy!”.
- Married Bengali women perform Sindoor Khela, smearing one another and the goddess’s image with vermilion, invoking auspiciousness and marital harmony.
- Families greet elders with “Shubho Bijoya,” seeking blessings for prosperity and renewed relationships. The immersion serves as both a fond farewell and a prayer for the goddess’s return.
Dussehra in North India: Lord Rama’s Victory
- In North India, Dussehra centers on Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon Ravana. The highlight is the dramatic burning of enormous effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna—iconic for symbolizing the destruction of evil.
- Communities gather for Ram Leela performances, retelling the Ramayana and reinforcing the values of righteousness and moral courage.
- The event is festive and spectacular, filled with fairs, fireworks, and shared sweets, signifying new triumphs and moral renewal.
Mysore Dasara & Shami Tree in Karnataka
- Karnataka’s Mysore Dasara is famed for its royal parade, illuminated palaces, and grand processions featuring Goddess Chamundeshwari atop an ornately decorated elephant.
- A unique ritual is the worship of Shami tree (Banni mara) leaves. Rooted in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas retrieved their hidden weapons from the Shami tree, the exchange of these leaves on Vijayadashami is seen as sharing ‘gold’—an emblem of prosperity, victory, and goodwill.
- Prayers under the Shami are believed to grant protection and success in new ventures.
What It All Symbolizes
- Victory of good over evil: Whether in Durga’s battle against Mahishasura or Rama’s defeat of Ravana, the festival’s heart is the assurance that righteousness ultimately prevails
- Cycles of creation and return: Maa Dugga’s agomon and gomon embody the rhythmic passage of joy, loss, and hope—her departure a promise of next year’s reunion.
- Renewal and unity: Sharing sweets, exchanging wishes, distributing Shami leaves—all gestures of personal and community healing, wishing renewal for each life and a harmonious society.
Wherever it’s celebrated, Bijoya Dashami and Dussehra are reminders of resilience, faith, and the power of shared stories to unite diverse communities under a canopy of colour, sound, and hope.