MALKANGIRI: An atmosphere of devotion, celebration and emotion prevailed at the Dandakaranya Sarbajanin Puja Mandap on the DNK playground in Malkangiri town on Wednesday as married women participated in the traditional Sindoor Khela ritual to bid farewell to Goddess Durga on Vijaya Dasami.
Observed in keeping with Bengali traditions, the ritual drew hundreds of married and newlywed women, who arrived at the mandap carrying vermilion and puja thalis. They offered prayers to the goddess, applied sindoor to her forehead and presented sweets and betel leaves as part of the customary farewell ceremony.
The celebrations soon turned vibrant as the women smeared vermilion on one another and danced to the rhythmic beats of dhol and other traditional musical instruments. The colourful ritual attracted a large gathering of devotees and residents, adding to the festive spirit of Vijaya Dasami.
The Dandakaranya Sarbajanin Puja Mandap has been celebrating Durga Puja for more than six decades, preserving Bengali cultural traditions and religious practices in the district. Sindoor Khela remains one of the major attractions of the annual celebrations.
Following the ritual, preparations began for the immersion of the Goddess. As devotees prepared to bid adieu to Maa Durga, the festive atmosphere gave way to a poignant blend of joy and sadness. Through the age-old tradition, women prayed for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of their families and marital lives, expressing the hope of welcoming the Goddess back next year.
