Kolkata Celebrates Dashami with Vibrant Sindur Khela and Emotional Visharjan

On October 4th, 2025, Kolkata was a vibrant tapestry of color, devotion, and emotion as the city celebrated Dashami, the final day of the Durga Puja festivities. At the Bagbazar Durga Puja Mandap, the air was filled with the joyous energy of the Sindur Khela ritual, where married women playfully applied vermilion to each other, exchanging blessings and laughter. "It's the most joyous moment of Puja," said Sunita Das, a regular visitor. "We leave behind all worries and celebrate togetherness and sisterhood."

Later in the day, attention shifted to Ratan Babu Ghat in Baranagar, where families gathered along the riverbanks to bid farewell to the goddess. Devotees immersed the idols with prayers and chants, some tearful, others joining in songs of celebration. "It's emotional every year," said local resident Anupam Chatterjee. "Watching the goddess depart is bittersweet -- she returns every year, but today, the farewell is always special."

Organizers and volunteers highlighted the community spirit that marked the day. "People from all walks of life come together for these rituals," said a member of the Bagbazar Puja committee. "It's more than a festival; it's a celebration of our culture and identity." From the playful colors of Sindur Khela to the heartfelt rituals of Visharjan, the day underscored Kolkata's enduring spirit of tradition, blending devotion, joy, and communal harmony in one of the city's most iconic celebrations.