New Delhi: If one has to denote one colour to the celebrations of Durga Puja, it would be red – bold and vibrant. Durga Puja reaches its finale with Vijay Dashami on the tenth day of Navratri. On this day, many sacred rituals and ceremonies are followed to bid Maa Durga farewell, of which Sindoor Khela is one of the most prominent rites of the celebration. Imagine a sea of married women dressed in crisp white sarees with red borders, smearing each other with vermilion (sindoor) and playing it like Holi. That is Sindoor Khela for the Bengali community – a ritual that turns the farewell of Maa Durga into a celebration of strength, love, and togetherness.
One of the most important rituals of Dashami, Sindoor Khela, has now become one of the most photographed, celebrated, and talked-about events of the nation. Together, let us know more about the traditional Bengali tradition and its significance.
What is Sindoor Khela?
Sindoor Khela literally translates to the game of vermilion. It is a ritual performed on Vijaya Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja, just before Maa Durga’s idol is taken for immersion (Visarjan). Traditionally, married Bengali women first offer sindoor to Maa Durga, applying it on her forehead and feet as a mark of respect and devotion.
What Sindoor Khela really means in Durga Puja
Once the offering is complete, the fun begins — they smear sindoor on each other’s faces and foreheads, exchange sweets, and share blessings for a long, happy married life. The red colour isn’t just symbolic of marital bliss — it’s also a celebration of feminine power, community, and sisterhood.
When and how is Sindoor Khela done?
Sindoor Khela takes place on Dashami morning or early afternoon, just before the grand immersion procession begins. The air is filled with dhak beats, conch shells, and the bittersweet feeling of bidding farewell to Maa. Women dressed in white-and-red sarees gather around the idol, carrying plates of sindoor, sweets, and betel leaves.
The ritual follows a simple yet powerful flow:
- Applying sindoor to Maa Durga’s idol.
- Smearing sindoor on fellow devotees.
- Exchanging sweets and warm hugs.
- Wishing each other prosperity, health, and strength.
Over the years, Sindoor Khela has transcended tradition, welcoming not only married women but also widows, unmarried women, and even men — turning it into a celebration of inclusivity, joy, and collective strength.
What Sindoor Khela really means in Durga Puja
Sindoor Khela is more than just a ritual — it’s an emotion. It’s about celebrating womanhood, spreading love, and saying goodbye to Maa Durga with smiles instead of tears. In 2025, as pandals across the world echo with the beats of dhaak and the glow of sindoor fills the air, may we remember the true spirit of this tradition: togetherness, strength, and joy.