How the Goddess Leaves: Visarjan, Sindoor Khela, Aparajita

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Dharma Katha · Season 2: Navratri · Episode 105 In Bengal, a woman stands in front of the image of Durga with a small mirror and a brass bowl of water. She holds the mirror so that the Goddess's face appears in it. Then she looks at the reflection, for a long moment. And then, gently, she lowers the mirror toward the water, so that the reflected face sinks. That is how the Goddess leaves. First from the mirror. Then from the clay. Missed the previous story? Listen to Episode 96 first. Source note. Label: tradition. The customs described are living tradition and vary by region, community and family. The darpan visarjan, the Sindoor Khela, the immersion processions, the cry Ashche bochhor abar hobe, and the Bijoya greetings are widely described Bengali customs. Aparajita Puja in the afternoon of Vijayadashami, and the belief that Rama worshipped Aparajita before leaving for Lanka, follow drikpanchang.com. Seemollanghan and the effigies of the Ramlila are widely described customs. The 2026 Bengali date for Dashami follows published Bengali almanac schedules, which differ. The reflections are my own. Note: this episode is narrated with an AI voice and the script was written with AI assistance. Sanskrit verses are checked against published editions; corrections are welcome.