When the goddess comes calling

A waiting performer dressed as goddess Durga attracts the interest of a passerby during Durga Puja celebrations. (Photo by Anindya Phani)

At the 255-year-old puja in Garalgacha Jaminder Bari, women of the family bid adieu to the goddess before immersion. (Photo by Raj Kumar Som)

The members of a family accompany the idol of goddess Durga on a boat, enjoying the final moments spent with her before immersion on the tenth and final day of the festival. This is an annual ritual that takes place on Bijaya Dashimi. (Photo by Puranjit Gongopadhyay)

Watch: The woman behind the Durga idol 

The Durga idol immersion procession is a lively event. With music, dance, and happy chants, the atmosphere becomes a joyful celebration of faith and togetherness. (Photo by Pritha Chakraborty)

The idol of goddess Durga is taken on a wooden cart for immersion at a village in Purulia, West Bengal. (Photo by Shounak Paul)

Also Read: Kumhartuli artisans in full swing ahead of Durgo Pujo

Kolkata, often referred to as being the cultural capital of India, celebrates Durga Puja on a grand scale. Here a traditional jamindar (land-owner) house is getting ready for the festivities. (Photo by SK Saheb)

The immersion of goddess Durga is the final act of one of India’s most loved festivals. It is a moment of celebration, sadness, and gratitude, reflecting the cycle of life. (Photo by Puranjit Gongopadhyay)

Also Read: Bengal’s farmers are behind Kolkata’s stunning Durga Puja pandals

The immersion is also a significant ritual that showcases devotion, artistry, and cultural heritage, bringing communities together in joyous celebration and reflection. Here the goddess is given a send-off by a drum-beater. (Photo by Abhishekh Mitra)

Children look upon sculptures of the divine with devotion. They like to mould their creations with faith. (Photo by Bapi Kundu)

In a humble earthen hut, an elderly couple in Purulia, with limited means, weave a profound tapestry of faith, offering heartfelt prayers to goddess Durga. (Photo by Anirban Pan)

Also Read: Titanic comes alive as Jahaj Bari in a north Bengal village

Rural children run with a cut-out of Maa Durga against the backdrop of overgrown grass, as they joyously anticipate the arrival of the goddess. (Photo by Abhishekh Kundu)

Here’s another poignant scene of Durga immersion as a group of people hold up the idol before consigning it to the waters. People in the background look on with love and devotion, marking a bond between the divine and the community. (Photo by Enamul Kabir) 

Also Read: “I’m the lone woman idol maker among 300 artisans”