Durga Puja in Bengal is a grand theatre of devotion, art, and celebration. For five days, the goddess is worshipped as a warrior, a mother, and a daughter. But when the time comes for her farewell on Dashami, one ritual captures the emotional core of the festival — Sindoor Khela.
The Ritual of Red
On the morning of Dashami, married women in traditional white sarees with red borders gather before the goddess. First, they apply sindoor to Maa Durga’s forehead and feet, blessing her for the journey back to her husband Shiva’s abode. Then comes the playful part — women smear vermilion on each other’s faces and hair partings. In an instant, the pandal turns into a sea of laughter and red color, transforming farewell into celebration.
Why Sindoor Matters
In Hindu tradition, sindoor is more than decoration. It is a mark of marital bliss, fertility, and strength. In Sindoor Khela, this personal symbol becomes collective — every woman offers blessings not just to Maa Durga but also to one another. What makes the ritual moving is this sense of shared fortune and solidarity, a reminder that community is as important as individual devotion.
The Scene in Bengal
Anyone who has witnessed Sindoor Khela in Kolkata will never forget it. Women line up before the idol, their sarees catching streaks of red, their faces glowing with joy. The goddess looks radiant in her final moments in the pandal, surrounded by a crowd that celebrates her even in departure. For photographers and visitors, it is one of the most iconic sights of Durga Puja.
Evolving Tradition
While traditionally limited to married Hindu women, the ritual is slowly opening up. In recent years, some pandals have invited widows, unmarried women, and even men to join. This reflects a broader shift: if Maa Durga belongs to all, then so should her rituals. These conversations add new dimensions to Sindoor Khela, keeping it alive in modern times.
A Bitter-Sweet Goodbye
As the ritual ends, the laughter gives way to tears. The goddess’s idol is lifted for immersion, and the red-smeared devotees wave her goodbye. The vermilion on their faces now carries two emotions at once — the joy of celebration and the sorrow of farewell. This duality is the essence of Durga Puja: victory and departure, devotion and loss, all tied together in one final embrace.
Sindoor Khela is not simply “playing with color.” It is a ritual that blends devotion with joy, personal blessings with community spirit. In those red streaks lies the story of Bengal’s Durga Puja — vibrant, emotional, and unforgettable. If you ever find yourself in Kolkata on Dashami, pause to watch the ritual unfold. In the laughter, in the color, and in the tears, you will glimpse the true heart of Durga Puja.
