New Delhi [India]: On the occasion of Vijayadashami, women celebrated ‘Sindoor Khela’ in Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park and Kolkata, West Bengal with great joy and fervour.
Women in Delhi and Kolkata could be seen dancing to the rythm of the ‘Dhaak’. ‘Dhaak’ is a large drum-like instrument that men hang around their necks and play with two thin sticks to infuse the frenzied rhythm, enhancing the festive aura.
Vijaydashmi marks the end of the five-day festivities of Durga Puja.
Vijaydashmi is a significant day for married women, who look forward to it all year. People from the Bengali community offer vermilion to Maa Durga on this day. In addition, everyone in the huge pandal applies vermilion and wishes each other on the occasion. After that, ‘Sindoor Khela’ begins. In this, women apply vermilion to one other’s feet and to each other’s faces.
The women believe taking part in ‘Sindoor Khela’ will bring them good luck and a long life for their husbands.
The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.
Over the years, Durga Puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture, with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition.
Hindu mythology holds that the Goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is the biggest festival.
The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of ‘dhak’ and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days
‘Dussehra’ or ‘Vijayadashmi’ also starts the preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami.
