SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 3: The 10-day Durga Puja festival concluded in Dhanbad on Thursday with the traditional Sindoor Khela ritual, as women gathered across the coal city to bid an emotional farewell to Goddess Durga.
Married women from the Bengali community, dressed in traditional red-bordered saris, assembled at various puja pandals and performed Sindoor Khela — smearing vermilion on each other’s faces before the idols of Maa Durga during the Visarjan ritual.
One of the participants, Rinku Banerjee, explained the significance:
“Sindoor Khela ritual has special significance. As per our customs, a married daughter is sent to her in-laws’ house after smearing sindoor. Since Maa Durga today (on the 10th day) has gone from her father’s house, she has been smeared with sindoor, and her devotees send her off by playing with vermilion.”
She further added:
“Another myth is that sindoor is considered a symbol of Brahma. His presence ensures happiness, prosperity and influence in life. So, we first smear sindoor on Maa Durga at the time of ‘Visarjan’ and then do the same with each other.”
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Rituals Observed Across the City
Sindoor Khela was celebrated with devotion at Hirapur Harimandir, Durga Mandir Master Para, Bengali Welfare Society Puja Pandal, Bengal Kalyan Samiti Park Market, JC Mallick Road Puja Pandal, Luby Circular Road Puja Pandal, and several other locations where the Bengali community organised festivities.
Despite heavy rains since morning, women turned up in large numbers in traditional attire, braving the weather to take part in the ritual.
A Mix of Joy and Sorrow
For many participants, the day carried both joy and melancholy. Arti Paul said:
“It (Sindoor Khela) is an age-old custom symbolising the prayer of married women for the wellbeing of their families. Moreover, this was also an emotional farewell to Maa Durga.”
Echoing the sentiment, Rupa Chakraborty remarked:
“Sindoor Khela is a mix of joy and sorrow. We enjoyed joy in the celebration of the festival and felt sorrow as Goddess Durga departed today. Besides playing with vermilion, we also exchange greetings and distribute sweets, wishing for prosperity.”
