Women in Naogaon Celebrate Bijoya Dashami with Traditional ‘Sindoor Khela’
Women across Naogaon district took part in traditional 'Sindoor Khela' rituals on Bijoya Dashami, bidding farewell to Goddess Durga amid sound of dhak drums, conch shells, and ululation.
PothikTV News Desk: 21 October 2026, 9:34 am
Devotees across Naogaon district bade farewell to Goddess Durga on Bijoya Dashami, blending the joy of the annual festival with the sorrow of her departure. Puja pandals resonated with the beat of dhak drums, the blowing of conch shells, and ululation as rituals concluded.
From Wednesday morning, crowds of devotees gathered at various puja venues to seek final blessings and catch a last glimpse of the goddess. Following the conclusion of formal worship rituals at town pandals, married women participated in the traditional ‘Devi Boron’ and ‘Sindoor Khela’ ceremonies.
Dressed in traditional red and white sarees, women touched vermilion to the feet of Goddess Durga before applying it to each other’s foreheads and cheeks. The temple premises buzzed with festive energy as women celebrated the bond, looking forward to gathering again the following year.
Sneha Sarkar, a devotee participating in the Sindoor Khela at the Sri Sri Anandamoyi Kali Temple in the town, shared that while the departure brings sadness, it is accompanied by joy. She noted that they had celebrated the festival over six days and eagerly await the goddess’s return next year.
Another devotee at the same temple, Aarti Sarkar, highlighted the significance of the ritual, describing Sindoor Khela not merely as a custom but as a way to strengthen harmony and bonds among women. She added that while applying the vermilion, devotees prayed to the goddess for the health and longevity of their families.
As part of the immersion tradition, a colorful boat procession was organized on the Chhota Jamuna River in Naogaon city. Decked-out boats began receiving idols in the afternoon before setting off for the scheduled water rally, leading up to the evening immersion that marks the end of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.
According to the District Puja Udjapan Parishad, Durga Puja was celebrated this year across 836 pandals in Naogaon district in a peaceful and festive atmosphere.
