Shachindra Kumar Dash, Seraikela:
Married women played vermilion on Vijaya Dashami in various puja pandals of Seraikela Kharsawan. On Tuesday, apart from the three Durga Puja pandals of Seraikela, Sindoor Khela was organized in front of the Durga Pandal of Kharsawan, Thakurbari of Rajkharsawan, Railway Colony, Anand Gyan Mandir Puja Pandal, Seva Sangh Samiti at Talsahi and the public Durga Puja Pandal at Behrasahi.
First of all, women offered vermillion to Maa Durga. After this, vermilion was applied to each other. During this period a large number of women were present. The tradition of playing vermillion on Vijay Dashami is considered an important ritual. On the last day of Shardiya Navratri, on the occasion of Durga Puja and Dussehra, women offer vermillion to Maa Durga. Which is known as Sindoor Khela. On this day, all the married women present in the pandal apply vermilion to each other.
This festival is celebrated as the farewell of mother. On the day of Sindoor Khela, women pray to Goddess Durga by touching their cheeks with betel leaves and applying vermilion on their forehead and pray for the long life of their husbands. After this, paan and sweets are offered to the mother. Women celebrate this festival on the day of Durga Visarjan or Dussehra. During this period, tremendous enthusiasm is seen among women.
Maa Durga comes to her mother’s house
It is believed that during Navratri, Mother Durga comes to her maternal home for 10 days. These 10 days are celebrated as Durga Utsav. After this, on the 10th day, Mother Parvati goes back to her home on Mount Kailash to Lord Shiva.