Indore: With the conclusion of Navratri on Tuesday, Bengali community thronged different pandals of the city to convey their heartfelt gratitude to goddess Durga on Bijoya Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja while the married women of the community felt blessed to mesmerise in the community’s trademark sindur khela, a game to smear vermilion on the faces of fellow women after offering it to goddess Durga.
According to Hindu mythology, Bijoya Dashami marks the day goddess Durga killed buffalo demon Mahishashur symbolising a triumph of good over evil. Bengalis also celebrate the day marking the return of goddess to her in-laws’ home.
Talking about the occasion, teacher Archana Banerjee said “The goddess represents feminine power, which is evident in every female.” Explaining the concept of Durga Puja she said that this is the day when Durga returns to her in-laws’ home after a brief stay at her parents’ home. “We rejoice and celebrate the occasion, as most women feel gay to visit their parents after marriage,” Banerjee said. She further elaborated that on the last day, Durga goes back to her in-laws’ home showering blessings on her subjects.
Sharing her enthusiasm about the day, student Duja Roy said “Durga brings power and stability to our life and thus she feels powerful and blessed after the puja. On the ritual of much hyped sindur khela she quipped “Of course, sindur khela tempts me to get married soon.”
Discussing the festivities, another Bengali Gautam Ghosh, an IT expert said “It is my wife’s first sindur khela and she is really excited.” He explained that sindur khela is smearing of the vermilion on Durga and further on other women.
“It is lovely to see women celebrating the bliss of married life,” he added.
