India, Oct. 19 -- As Durga Puja festivities draw to a close, actor Debina Bonnerjee, known for TV shows such as Ramayan and Chidiya Ghar, reflects on the bittersweet emotions of Dashami, from bidding farewell to the Goddess to looking forward to her return next year. "For me, Dashami feels like saying goodbye to someone who has come home after a whole year," she says, adding, "You get so used to the (sound of) dhaak (traditional Bengali drum), the gatherings, and the excitement of getting ready every morning, and suddenly, everything goes quiet." What brings comfort is the familiar refrain, Aschhe bochhor abar hobe (It will happen again next year). "It is the beautiful thought that reminds us we will make these memories all over again," she adds. The emotional farewell soon turns celebratory during Sindoor Khela, a ritual marked on the final day of Navratri, that holds personal significance for the actor. "The first pinch of vermilion feels like a little prayer for my family's well-being, for togetherness, and for Maa's blessings," she says. After days of festive feasts and fasting, Debina finds comfort in a simple Bengali meal. "While festive spreads are delightful, I would happily come home to simple dal-bhaat, aloo bhaja, and a little mishti," she shares, adding, "There's something so comforting about a familiar Bengali meal. You can enjoy the grandest spread, but sometimes, it's that simple plate of food that makes you feel completely at home." As a mother, she hopes to pass on the traditions to her young daughters (Lianna and Divisha): "I want them to enjoy our traditions without feeling that everything ends with the celebration. The stories, the Bengali songs, and spending time with their grandmother can continue at home," she says. "More than remembering every ritual, I hope they remember how loved and connected they felt," she ends....