AGARTALA, Oct 23 (TIWN): A wave of emptiness has gripped the heart of people as our mother goddess Durga has taken an adieu from the land to Kailash for the next year. The immersion of idols at Dashamighat has bid an adieu to goddess durga marking the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.But the auspicious celebration of Durga puja for four days has given the state an ample moment of happiness, joy, enthusiasm, zeal, fun and unity of people cutting all the barriers of castes and communism. The celebration is all about meeting friends and having a whale of a time. It’s not always about the highly decorated heavy budget pandals but a moment of true happiness and heart full of enjoyment. Devotees thronged marquees and community pujas across state to bid adieu to goddess Durga, the last day of the puja, which saw Mahanavami and Vijaya Dashami coinciding on Thursday.With anticipation of homecoming of the deity next year, people participated in the last rounds of prayers and rituals.As per the calendar, Vijaya Dashami - the last day of the puja - merged with Mahanavami this year, thereby shortening the usual five-day affair to a four-day celebration. Idol immersions conclude the festival.

However, the majority of the immersions are scheduled to take place on Friday and Sunday due to Muharram falling on Saturday.

Adhering to tradition, some household and community pujas proceeded to the banks of the river Howrah around for the immersion.

With tears in their eyes, organisers, followed through the immersion ritual with shouts of "Asche bochor abar hobe" (See you next year).

Earlier in the day on Thursday, people gathered at their community pujas to offer 'pushpanjali' or floral tributes for the Mahanavami (ninth lunar day) puja amid chanting of mantras in the name of the goddess.

The puja began after the end of Sandhi puja held at the confluence of Mahaashtami (eighth lunar day) and Mahanavami.

As part of the Vijaya Dashami observances, enthusiasts cutting across religious and age barriers indulged in "dhunuchi naach" - dancing to the beat of the 'dhaak' (drums) holding aloft earthen bowls laden with incense and camphor.

Vijaya Dashami, the culmination of Navratri, symbolises the triumph of good over evil. It celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura who was defeated and slain by her after a nine-night, ten-day long battle. Vijaya Dashami ended early morning on Friday.