Sindoor khela was a regressive practice which allowed on married women to apply sindoor on Ma Durga. Widows were outcasted and unmarried women not allowed. Now, thankfully, customs are changing and I read that in certain pUJAS OF Mumbai and Kolkata all women irrespective of their marital status are involved in SIndoor Khela. Kudos !
Sir, Happy to note that you enjoyed the last part of a much greater festival which is close to every Bengali heart. Unlike what you wrote, Sindoor khela DOES NOT entail applying sindoor on each others faces. Traditionally, it is a ceremony where married women of the household bid farewell to the mother in what is known as "Boron", and at the same time invite her to come again next time. This is the only time, the Goddesses can be touched. Sindoor is applied on her forehead and she is also treated to sweets before touching her feet and seeking her blessings. Married women then go about applying each others foreheads with sindoor and also apply the sindoor to an iron bangle worn by the married ladies and part of their saree. All this is symbolically in celebration of the fact that they are either "Mothers" or mothers to be. Application of sindoor on cheeks is a modern day addition and no traditional Puja entertains this. Sindoor has a sacred significance among Hindoo ladies and certainly is not something to be played around with. For that, we have holi. For all you know there are bound to be some, who so pompously engage in this ritual on this particular day and yet refuse to apply sindoor on their forehead as a show of being "ultra Modern".
Sir, Happy to note that you enjoyed the last part of a much greater festival which is close to every Bengali heart. Unlike what you wrote, Sindoor khela DOES NOT entail applying sindoor on each others faces. Traditionally, it is a ceremony where married women of the household bid farewell to the mother in what is known as "Boron", and at the same time invite her to come again next time. This is the only time, the Goddesses can be touched. Sindoor is applied on her forehead and she is also treated to sweets before touching her feet and seeking her blessings. Married women then go about applying each others foreheads with sindoor and also apply the sindoor to an iron bangle worn by the married ladies and part of their saree. All this is symbolically in celebration of the fact that they are either "Mothers" or mothers to be. Application of sindoor on cheeks is a modern day addition and no traditional Puja entertains this. Sindoor has a sacred significance among Hindoo ladies and certainly is not something to be played around with. For that, we have holi. For all you know there are bound to be some, who so pompously engage in this ritual on this particular day and yet refuse to apply sindoor on their forehead as a show of being "ultra Modern".
