Durga Puja festival concludes on Vijaydashmi with the immersion of Durga idols in a ceremony called Visarjan. Vijaydashmi marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, representing the triumph of good over evil.
Amid loud chants and drumbeats sacred images are carried in huge processions to local rivers for the immersion. In Kolkata, the immersion rituals are performed at the ghats of holy Ganga river in late evening. I was privileged to attend the rituals at the famous Babughat.
Devotees carry water on their heads after the immersion of Durga idols. This sacred water, known as Shanti Jal(water of peace), is collected from the river where the idol has been immersed. Water absorbs the divine energy and is used to purify the homes of devotees.
Shanti Jal is seen as a physical vessel carrying the Goddess’s divine power and blessings into the home, ensuring peace and prosperity for the coming year.
The immersion ritual is also a reminder of the cycle of creation and dissolution. The clay idol, created from the earth, is returned to water, symbolizing that all forms are temporary but divine energy is eternal. The Shanti Jal collected is the essence of this divine energy, now residing within the devotees’ homes.
That would be such an amazing experience to be a part of! I absolutely love the combination of cultural and spiritual.
Absolutely amazing.
I am hearing about Shanti Jal for the first time. Would love to visit it one day.
You should experience.
I bet the festival is a great experience and what a beautiful setting as well. I would love to experience this one day
Incredible experience indeed.
how fascinating! I love the idea of Shanti Jal being more than just water, but a vessel of the Goddess’s divine energy that carries peace and prosperity
Truly so.