Sindoor Khela (also written Sindur Khela, meaning roughly “the vermilion game”) is one of the most colourful moments of Durga Puja. On the last day of the festival, women gather at pandals and homes, bid the goddess a tearful and joyful farewell, and then smear red sindoor (vermilion) on one another. In 2026, Bijoya Dashami falls on Wednesday, 21 October in West Bengal’s reckoning, so sindoor khela is expected that day, usually before the evening immersion (Bisorjon).
If you have only seen the photos, this guide explains what the ritual is, how it usually unfolds, what it means to the people who take part, and how visitors and families can join in (or simply watch) respectfully.
Dates in this article are provisional for 2026. Please verify tithi and timings with a local panchang or your neighbourhood puja committee.
What is Sindoor Khela?
Sindoor Khela is a Bengali Hindu tradition practised on Vijayadashami, the final day of Durga Puja. Women apply vermilion on the idol of Goddess Durga and then on each other. It is usually seen at community pandals, and many families also do it in their own home pujas. The ritual is closely tied to the idea of Durga as a daughter who visits her parental home for a few days and then returns to her husband’s home on Kailash, which is why the mood on Dashami is a mix of celebration and sadness.
Wikipedia describes it as one of the key rites of Vijayadashami, practised in India and Bangladesh. News reports from West Bengal and Bangladesh on Bijoya Dashami also describe women in red-bordered white sarees applying sindoor at pandals and temples. Customs differ by family and locality, and in a few places in Bengal the ritual is held earlier, so always follow your own puja committee’s schedule.
When is Sindoor Khela in 2026?
- Bijoya Dashami: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 (West Bengal reckoning).
- Typical timing: after the farewell rituals for the goddess on Dashami, and generally before the idol is taken for immersion. The exact hour differs from pandal to pandal, so ask the committee.
- All-India Dussehra: Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Read our Dussehra explained guide for the difference between the two dates.
How Sindoor Khela usually unfolds
The order can vary, but the commonly described sequence looks like this:
- Devi Baran (farewell to the goddess): after the final worship, women perform the farewell, waving lamps in an arati before the idol.
- Offering to the goddess: sindoor is applied to the goddess’s forehead and feet, and sweets and betel leaves are offered.
- Sindoor on each other: women then apply sindoor on one another’s foreheads and the parting of the hair.
- Bangles: the red is also applied on the traditional shankha (conch-shell) and pala (red coral) bangles.
- The playful part: faces get smeared with sindoor, with a lot of laughter, hugging and photos.
- Sweets: everyone shares mishti (sweets) as prasad before the idol leaves for immersion.
The classic dress is a white saree with a red border (called lal paar), often with gold jewellery. The red and white colours are part of the festive look at many pandals.
What does the ritual mean?
For participants, sindoor khela is a way of wishing well-being to their families and to each other. It is commonly described as a prayer for the happiness and long life of husbands and children, and as a way of strengthening friendships between neighbours. It is believed by many that the goddess blesses families who take part with devotion. These are matters of faith, so we describe them as belief, not as guaranteed outcomes.
A tradition that is changing
Historically, sindoor khela was done mainly by married women. In recent years, many pandals and clubs have opened the ritual to women of every background, including unmarried women, widows and transgender women, and some men now join the colour-play as well, framing it as a celebration of womanhood and community. Others continue to follow the older customs. There are also public discussions, including critical ones, about whether a ritual built around marital status fits modern life. A good approach is to respect each family’s and each pandal’s own practice, without judging.
Dos and don’ts for sindoor khela
Do
- Ask first. Always ask before applying sindoor on anyone, especially if you are a guest or a first-time visitor.
- Wear clothes you do not mind staining. Sindoor can leave a mark on cotton and silk. Many people keep a dedicated saree or kurta for the day.
- Protect your eyes. Apply gently on the forehead and cheeks, and avoid the eyes and mouth. Tie back long hair.
- Use good-quality sindoor. Cheap powders may irritate sensitive skin. If you have a skin allergy, tell the group and apply only on the hair parting or on the bangles.
- Keep sweets and water ready. It is a long, emotional day, and sharing sweets is part of the ritual.
- Follow pandal rules. Many committees allow only certain times, or limit the crowd on the stage.
Don’t
- Don’t force participation. Anyone who prefers to watch should be allowed to do so.
- Don’t photograph strangers up close without permission, especially in tight crowds.
- Don’t throw sindoor on the idol’s face or on a person who has not agreed.
- Don’t leave a mess. Carry a bag for used wipes and wrappers, and clean up if you can.
- Don’t comment on someone’s marital status or choice to join or skip the ritual.
Tips for visitors and first-timers
- Choose a pandal where the committee announces the sindoor khela time, and reach early because the front area fills up fast.
- Keep valuables safe. The crowd is often thick and sometimes damp from rain.
- Carry wet wipes, a spare scarf, and a small towel. Remove sindoor with oil or cleansing balm first, then wash with soap.
- Expect an emotional mood. Dhak drums, ululation and slogans like “Asche bochhor abar hobe” (“next year, again”) are traditionally part of the farewell.
- For the rest of the festival, our pandal-hopping guide for Kolkata and Durga Puja food guide will help you plan.
After sindoor khela: Bijoya greetings
After Dashami, the festival turns into the season of Bijoya visits, when younger people touch the feet of elders for blessings, friends hug and everyone shares sweets and snacks. Find ready-to-send messages in our Subho Bijoya wishes and messages post. To understand the whole festival, start with Durga Puja explained and the overview at Durga Puja.
Frequently asked questions
What does Sindoor Khela mean?
It translates roughly as “the vermilion game”. It is a farewell ritual in which women apply sindoor to the goddess and to one another on Bijoya Dashami.
When is Sindoor Khela in 2026?
It is expected on Bijoya Dashami, Wednesday 21 October 2026 in West Bengal, usually before immersion. Please confirm timings with a local panchang or your puja committee.
Who can take part?
Traditionally married women took part, but many pandals now welcome all women and some even invite everyone. Check with the organisers or hosts.
What should I wear?
A white saree with a red border is the classic choice, but any comfortable clothes you do not mind staining are fine.
Is sindoor khela the same as playing Holi?
No. Although both involve colour, sindoor khela is a devotional farewell ritual centred on the goddess, not a general colour festival. Keep it respectful.
How do I remove sindoor from skin and clothes?
Wipe skin with oil or cleansing balm first, then wash with mild soap. Rinse clothes in cold water soon after, and wash them separately.
Is it only held in Kolkata?
No. It is seen across West Bengal, other parts of India with Bengali communities, and in Bangladesh. Local timings and customs vary.
