Sindoor Utsav is regarded as one of the most vital and significant ritual observed during Durga Puja majorly in the regions of West Bengal.
Sindoor Utsav or Sindoor-Khela is another important tradition which is celebrated on the eve of Vijayadashami i.e. the tenth day of the famous Navratri festival. Before the ritual of Durga Visarjan, the married women observe this ritual. This tradition is also known as Thakur Boron. With this, women pray to Goddess Durga for the longevity of their husband's life and happiness of their family.
The ritual of Sindoor Khela possess a history of approximately 400 years. It is the time when the ritual of Durga Puja had just begun. As per the legend, every year, Goddess Durga at the time of Durga Puja visits her parents’ place (Mother Menoka and Father Giriraj). Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati also joined her along with two other companions Jaya and Vijaya. Goddess Durga stayed for a period of 4 days and on the eve of Vijayadashami, she left for Himalayas where Lord Shiva used to reside. But before immersing the idol of the deity in the sacred water, Goddess Durga is worshipped by the women with the celebration of Sindoor Utsav.
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In this particular event, married women wear traditional dresses and then apply vermilion of the feet of the deity and then apply it on their forehead. Later all the married women play with Sindoor (Vermilion) and therefore the ritual is also called as Sindoor Khela in Hindu traditions which is followed every year.
Sindoor signifies a married woman and therefore the ritual of Sindoor Utsav means to wish everyone a happy married life and good fortune. Women seek blessings of Goddess Durga for the longevity of their spouse and also for prosperity and happiness of their families.
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