Harda's Bengali Colony immerses Maa Kali idol after Sindoor Khela, 43 years of installation

The five-day Devi festival in Harda's Bengali Colony concluded on Friday. On the last day, the Bengali community immersed the idol of Maa Kali. The colony has been installing the idol on the night of Kartik Amavasya for 43 years.

Before the immersion, women performed the Sindoor Khela ritual. They applied vermilion to one another and danced to the beat of the dhak. The women also prayed for the long life of their husbands.

A Dhunuchi (incense-burner) aarti was held on the occasion. The women first applied vermilion to the Maa Kali idol, then bade the goddess farewell by applying it to one another.

The Bengali community worships Maa Kali as "Bodo Maa" and as "Shakti Puja". The idol was installed on the night of the Diwali amavasya. After that, puja was held both morning and evening for four days. Women of the community kept a nirjala fast, without water. From the elderly to children, everyone bowed their heads at Maa Kali's court.

Smita Gain of the Bengali community said the Sindoor Khela ritual was performed before Maa Kali's farewell. She said the tradition holds special significance in the Bengali community. Married women in this ritual pray for the prosperity of the family and for lasting marital good fortune.

Women began gathering at the puja pandal from the morning. They took part in the puja wearing traditional white saris. The ritual began with "Devi Boran". The women performed the aarti of Maa Durga and offered the goddess bhog, sweets, paan and vermilion. They then applied vermilion to the idol's forehead and feet and prayed for the well-being, happiness and peace of their families.