Purnia’s Bengali Community Upholds 109-Year-Old Sindoor Khela Ritual

Purnia: Women of the Bengali community gathered at Bhatta Durgabari, a renowned puja pandal in Purnia, to participate in the Sindoor Khela ritual, continuing a tradition that has been upheld for 109 years. Women from nearby areas also took part in the celebration, applying vermilion to each other and praying for the blessing of remaining married.

According to Puja Samiti President Tapoti Banerjee and Secretary Pradipto Bhattacharya, the Durga idol was first installed at Bhatta Durgabari in 1916, even before India gained independence. Since then, Sindoor Khela has been a key part of the Vijayadashami festivities, symbolizing the community’s prayers for prosperity and the early return of Maa Durga in the coming year.

The Durga Puja follows Bengali customs, and all nine forms of the goddess are worshipped in the Vedic way. On Ashtami, 56 types of bhogs are offered to the goddess, which are later distributed as Mahaprasad on Navami. The traditional prasad is served to devotees as part of the Narayan Seva.

This year, the Bhatta Durgabari Puja Pandal has been designed to resemble the famous Kalighat Shaktipeeth of Bengal. Over 30 artisans worked on creating the 80-foot-long and 150-foot-wide pandal, which was adorned with gold jewelry for Maa Durga. The budget for the structure was 25 lakhs. The pandal, known for its grandeur, has previously been visited by dignitaries, including former President Pranab Mukherjee.