Sindur Khela expands to include all women
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In recent years, unmarried women in India have begun participating in Sindur Khela, a ritual traditionally reserved for married women during Durga Puja in the Bengal region.
The ritual involves women smearing each other’s faces with vermillion and exchanging wishes as part of the Dashami celebrations, marking the end of the festival.
Women like Sristi Rai in Delhi and Swapnasree Saha see the ritual as a celebration of womanhood, strength, and their cultural heritage, believing devotion should not be limited by marital status. For many, joining Sindur Khela is a way to connect with their Bengali roots and experience a sense of belonging. Susmita Pakrasi hopes the ritual will evolve to be a broader expression of solidarity and happiness among women.
Asmita Raj Yadav, a PR consultant from Uttar Pradesh, participates because she appreciates India’s diverse traditions and was moved by the warmth and positivity of the celebration. Durga Puja itself celebrates the return of the goddess Durga to her maternal home, reminding people that a woman’s identity exists beyond roles defined by marriage or motherhood. Participants view Sindur Khela as a celebration of female strength, love, and the timeless spirit of the goddess Shakti.
