Go Ad-Free
My Alerts
Moneycontrol
Moneycontrol PRO
Get App Open
In App
News on WhatsApp
News on WhatsApp
Go PRO Now
Open App
Homecity

Sindoor Khela in pics: Women bask in festivities

On Vijayadashami, West Bengal bids farewell to Goddess Durga with the vibrant Sindur Khela ritual, where married women smear vermilion on each other, praying for prosperity, long life, and family harmony

Moneycontrol City Desk | October 02, 2025 / 15:08 IST
1/7
Durga Puja in West Bengal ends with Vijayadashami, when devotees immerse Goddess Durga’s idol, marking her return to Mount Kailash. Sindur Khela is a key ritual during this farewell. (Photo: X)
Durga Puja in West Bengal ends with Vijayadashami, when devotees immerse Goddess Durga’s idol, marking her return to Mount Kailash. Sindur Khela is a key ritual during this farewell. (Photo: X)
2/7
Sindur Khela, or “the game of vermilion,” involves married women applying sindoor on the goddess and then on each other, praying for prosperity, long life for their husbands, and protection for children. (Photo: X)
Sindur Khela, or “the game of vermilion,” involves married women applying sindoor on the goddess and then on each other, praying for prosperity, long life for their husbands, and protection for children. (Photo: X)
3/7
In Hindu tradition, vermilion represents marriage. By applying it, women honor their family roles and celebrate womanhood and protective strength. (Photo: X)
In Hindu tradition, vermilion represents marriage. By applying it, women honor their family roles and celebrate womanhood and protective strength. (Photo: X)
4/7
The ritual likely started around 200 years ago in wealthy zamindar households and gradually became popular in community pujas across Bengal. (Photo: X)
The ritual likely started around 200 years ago in wealthy zamindar households and gradually became popular in community pujas across Bengal. (Photo: X)
5/7
Participating in Sindur Khela is believed to protect women from widowhood, strengthen their family roles, and promote harmony in the community. 6. The ceremony has steps: worshipping the goddess, touching her face with betel leaves, smearing sindoor, and exchanging sweets among participants. 7. Beyond religious significance, Sindur Khela fosters bonding among women, symbolizing both a playful farewell to the goddess and the collective strength and unity of women. 8. (Photo: X)
Participating in Sindur Khela is believed to protect women from widowhood, strengthen their family roles, and promote harmony in the community.

6/7
The ceremony has steps: worshipping the goddess, touching her face with betel leaves, smearing sindoor, and exchanging sweets among participants. (Photo: X)
The ceremony has steps: worshipping the goddess, touching her face with betel leaves, smearing sindoor, and exchanging sweets among participants. (Photo: X)
7/7
Beyond religious significance, Sindur Khela fosters bonding among women, symbolizing both a playful farewell to the goddess and the collective strength and unity of women. 8. (Photo: X)
Beyond religious significance, Sindur Khela fosters bonding among women, symbolizing both a playful farewell to the goddess and the collective strength and unity of women.
8. (Photo: X)

Discover the latest Business News, Budget 2025 News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347