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Key Points

Women across Kolkata celebrated the final day of Durga Puja with the vibrant Sindoor Khela tradition. They applied vermilion to Goddess Durga's idol and shared it among themselves while praying for family prosperity. Foreign visitors expressed their fascination with the beautifully decorated pandals and community atmosphere. The emotional ceremony symbolizes both celebration and sadness as devotees bid farewell to Maa Durga returning to her heavenly home.

Key Points: Kolkata Women Celebrate Sindoor Khela on Durga Puja Final Day

  • Women apply vermilion to Durga idols and each other in traditional ritual
  • Foreign tourists express delight at experiencing Kolkata's pandals and community spirit
  • Sindoor Khela now symbolizes connection to country through Operation Sindoor
  • The ceremony marks Goddess Durga's return to her celestial abode after five-day festival
2 min read

West Bengal: Women bid farewell to Maa Durga by celebrating 'Sindoor Khela'

Women in Kolkata bid farewell to Maa Durga through traditional Sindoor Khela celebrations, marking the emotional conclusion of Durga Puja festivities with prayers for family well-being.

"Today is a very happy yet sad day... We play with Sindoor and pray for our well-being, but it is sad for us since Maa goes back to her home today - Anuradha Malhotra"

Kolkata, October 2

Women in Kolkata celebrated the last day of Durga Puja, also called Maha Dashami or Vijayadashmi, on Thursday by participating in 'Sindoor Khela' at the Mudiali Club.

Anuradha Malhotra, a local, extending her wishes on the joyous occasion, said "Today is a very happy yet sad day... We play with Sindoor and pray for our well-being, but it is sad for us since Maa goes back to her home today...Durga Puja is a very joyous occasion for us..."

"Sindoor is very valuable for us Bengalis during Durga Puja... we pray for the well-being of our family on these days... It is also a sad feeling for us since Maa leaves..."Gayatri told ANI.

Foreigners also took part in the celebrations held in Kolkata.

"We have seen gorgeous pandals and it is a really special feeling for us... this is our second time attending Durga Puja in India... we have been having a lot of traditional food..." Eleanora told ANI.

"There are pandals based on different themes and we have really enjoyed the community feeling here....we are definitely planning to come back here next year..." said Beatrice.

In Siliguri, a local said that the 'Sindoor Khela' had become more symbolic for them after the power of the Operation Sindoor and connected them to the country.

"Sindoor Khela has become even more symbolic for us now because we've seen the power of sindoor in our Operation Sindoor... This tradition used to connect us with Maa Durga and our husbands, but now it also connects us with our country..." a local told ANI.

Sindoor Khela is celebrated by women applying vermilion to the idol and then smearing it onto one another, and marks the end of the five-day Durga Puja.

The day also symbolises the return of the Goddess to her celestial abode.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
It's heartwarming to see foreigners enjoying our culture. Durga Puja truly brings everyone together. The community feeling in Kolkata during Puja is unmatched anywhere in India!
A
Ananya R
The part about Operation Sindoor connecting the tradition to patriotism is interesting. While I respect the sentiment, I feel we should keep religious traditions separate from political narratives. The beauty of Sindoor Khela is in its spiritual significance.
D
David E
As someone who attended Durga Puja in Kolkata last year, I can confirm the energy is incredible! The pandals, the food, the music - it's a complete cultural immersion. Great to see this tradition being shared with the world.
S
Shreya B
Bidding farewell to Maa Durga always brings tears to my eyes. That bittersweet feeling when we apply sindoor for the last time... Asho bochhor abar hobe! (Come again next year!) 🙏
V
Vikram M
Beautiful to see our traditions being celebrated with such enthusiasm. Durga Puja shows the rich cultural diversity of India. Every state has its unique way of celebrating festivals, and that's what makes our country special.

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