Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 21 (ANI): Bengali actresses Mimi Chakraborty, Srabanti Chatterjee, Darshana Banik, Rupsha Mukherjee, Koushani Mukherjee and Rituparna Sengupta, among others, attended a Sindoor Khela event organised by Sanatani Sanga in Kolkata on the final day of Durga Puja.
BJP leaders, including Locket Chatterjee, were also present at the celebrations marking Vijayadashami.
The event featured women in festive sarees singing on stage near a large idol of the Goddess, followed by the traditional application of sindoor (vermillion) amid crowds at the pandal.
Sindoor Khela is a traditional Durga Puja ritual in which married women playfully apply vermilion to one another, symbolising marital bliss and bidding farewell to Goddess Durga as the festivities draw to a close.
Speaking at the event, BJP leader Locket Chatterjee extended her Vijayadashami greetings and spoke about the festive atmosphere in Kolkata.
"Wishing everyone a Happy Vijayadashami... Mother had come here for 4 days, and everyone celebrated Durga Puja very well.... During this time, people come here, and even people from outside come for darshan. There's a very good atmosphere," she said.
Actress Srabanti Chatterjee also spoke about the celebrations and the significance of the day.
"We are going to celebrate quite a bit, because today is Dussehra, and today is the day Maa Durga departs..." she said.
For actress Darshana Banik, the event was a new experience. She said she enjoyed attending the celebrations and meeting fellow actresses.
"It felt very good, and this is the first time I have come here... I met all the actresses here. So it felt good. On my behalf, Vijayadashami greetings to everyone..." she said.
Actress Rupsha Mukherjee praised the pandal's design and theme, expressing happiness at meeting others during the celebrations.
"It feels very good...a very nice pandal has been made, and the theme is very good. I came to see it today, and everyone was here; it felt good to meet everyone. Wishing everyone a Happy Vijayadashami," she said.
Koushani Mukherjee reflected on the Durga Puja festivities across the city, describing the celebrations as wonderful while also referring to an unfortunate incident in Chorbagan.
"The Puja celebrations went wonderfully. Apart from one unfortunate incident that took place in Chorbagan, we all enjoyed ourselves immensely, spending time with family, dining out, pandal hopping, and admiring the beautiful idols of the Goddess... Park Street was previously known for its Christmas celebrations, but from now on, it will also be known for Durga Puja at Allen Park," she said.
Actress and producer Rituparna Sengupta also praised the celebrations at Allen Park, highlighting the pandal and its atmosphere.
"It was wonderful. Happy Vijaya to everyone! I really enjoyed my time at Allen Park. The pandal is very beautiful, and the energy is fantastic," she said.
BJP leader Navin Mishra asserted that Sindoor Khela, a page from history, is being written once again.
"The women of our household ceremonially apply sindoor to Maa... I extend my gratitude to the government, the media, the municipal corporation, the police, and the Chief Minister of the state for the vital role they played in preserving Bengali culture. The Chorbagan incident was deeply saddening. We lost a large number of people from our own community. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, we have called off all cultural programs," Mishra said.
The gathering brought together political leaders and Bengali film personalities for the traditional Vijayadashami celebrations, as devotees marked the final day of Durga Puja with sindoor, festive performances and greetings. (ANI)
Kolkata Sindoor Khela: Mimi Chakraborty, Srabanti Chatterjee and other actresses celebrate Vijayadashami
