Durga Puja 2017: Beautiful photos of ‘Sindoor Khela’ celebrations in Kolkata

On Vijayadashami, the last day of Durga Puja, married women celebrate their status of being married by playing with sindoor or vermillion. In Hinduism, sindoor represents the status of a married woman. The red powder is used to celebrate Maa Durga's married status before she leaves for her husband's home. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

During sindoor khela, every Bengali married woman prepares a puja thali with betel leaves or paan, sweets and sindoor. The thali is needed to do the Devi Boron, in other words, bid adieu to Maa Durga. The sindoor is first offered at the feet of the goddess' idol and then her forehead. The betel leaves too are offered to the goddess for puja and the sondesh is placed in the idol's mouth. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

After the Devi Boron is performed, the remaining sindoor is put on the face and the iron bangles of all married women. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Married women are seen putting the sindoor on each other's cheeks on the occasion of Vijayadashami. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

The vibrant and colourful ritual is very popular in West Bengal. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

(Express photo by Partha Paul)

The ritual is important as it celebrates the marriagehood of Maa Durga and other women as well. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

The ritual, which started some 400 years ago is an integral part of the Durga Puja celebrations every year. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Women dressed in red and white wearing traditional jewellery take part in the ritual.(Express photo by Partha Paul)

Every married women, irrespective of age take part in this colourful Bengali ritual. (Express photo by Partha Paul)