New Delhi: Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals in India, and Vijaya Dashami marks the end of the five days of celebration.
This year Vijayadashami is today i.e. on October 14.
In Bengal, where Durga Puja is the biggest festival, the last day is a gloomy occasion when Goddess Durga is bid farewell for a year. People feel sad, and emotional scenes can be seen during funerals and immersion.
This day is special for those women who are married, who wait for this day throughout the year. Following the ‘Ghat Visarjan’ at the puja pandal, the symbolic immersion of Durga, which announces the end of the rituals of worship, women apply vermilion (vermilion) to the idol’s forehead and feet and offer sweets to her in preparation for her departure. .
The sindoor khela begins after the women apply vermilion on each other – the elders of them on their feet before applying vermilion on each other’s faces.
Sindoor Khela Traditions, Rituals and Beliefs
Literally meaning ‘vermilion game’, vermilion (also spelled vermilion) Khela is celebrated by Bengali Hindu married women, who believe it will lead to a long life for their husband and good luck for the family.
After the ‘Visarjan’ puja on Vijayadashami, the ritual of Sindoor Khela begins. The women, usually wearing a traditional white saree with a red border, first perform ‘Devi Baran’, a ritual to bid farewell to Goddess Durga. They perform an aarti, and then apply vermilion on the forehead and feet of the idol.
After this, both apply vermilion on each other’s forehead and separate the hair. Younger women also touch the feet of elders.
As an important part of the ritual, vermilion is also applied to the conch, pola and noa – three bangles made of conch, coral and iron respectively, which Bengali married women traditionally wear.
At the end, they offer sweets, usually part of the offerings from the puja, to each other.
This ritual creates an atmosphere of harmony, as happens during Holi, the festival of colours.
Sindoor Khela History
Although it is not clear when and where exactly the Sindoor Khela tradition originated, the ancient people believe that the tradition is as old as the festival celebrated almost 400 years ago.
However, many believe that it was originated by zamindars, who conducted Durga Puja in their homes around two centuries ago.
played vermilion now
The sacred and beautiful ritual was always accused of having a flaw – it was not inclusive. This is only for the woman whose husband is alive. Unmarried women and widows were traditionally not considered a part of this celebration of marriage.
But things are changing now. In Kolkata and many other places, pandals have started inviting all women, irrespective of their marital status, to participate in this age-old custom and join the festivities.
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