Idols of goddess Durga immersed in various parts of country marking end of Durga Puja festivities

In Kolkata, idols of goddess Durga were immersed at Babughat.

Similarly, procession for Durga Pooja immersion was carried out in Srinagar.

In Hyderabad, idols of goddess Durga were immersed in Hussain Sagar lake.

Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy said, "There is a tradition in Hindu society for thousands of years that after Dussehra, all Hindu community people go to their respective villages, their respective cities to meet their relatives, to take blessings from all the people, this is celebrated as Alai Balai event. This is being done for 18 years. I wish everyone a Happy Vijayadashami."

In Siliguri, idols of Goddess Durga were immersed at Lal Mohan Moulik Niranjan ghat.

Earlier, women celebrated 'Sindur Khela' in Siliguri, on the final day of Durga Puja on Saturday.

Durga Puja was celebrated with enthusiasm and zeal and devotees thronged at temples and pandals to offer prayers to Goddess Durga throughout the country.

Vijay Dashmi, the last day of Durga Puja, saw married Bengali Hindu women taking part in 'sindoor khela'.; They also applied sindoor on the forehead and feet of the goddess and offer sweets, followed by applying sindoor to each other's faces.

Sindoor Khela is known as the 'vermillion game', and is celebrated by Bengali Hindu women. The ritual takes place before the idols are submerged.

Sindoor Khela is a customary element of the Durga Puja celebrations in Bengali culture. It's believed to symbolize the power of womanhood in protecting her husband and children from all evil. Through the ritual, the Hindu women pray for long and happy married lives of each other.

The tradition is celebrated across Kolkata and the entire state. Women first perform 'Arati' and then apply sindoor to the forehead and feet of the Goddess and then apply the same sindoor to each other faces.

The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees.

The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of 'dhaak' and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. (ANI)