Sindoor Khela marks Durga Puja farewell at DLF Club5, Gurugram

At DLF Club5 in Gurugram, Rituparna Ganguly marked Durga’s farewell with sweets, a diya and paan — offerings she associates with seeing a daughter off to her sasural.

Residents from nearby neighbourhoods gathered for Sindoor Khela on Vijayadashami, the ritual that closes Durga Puja. Women in traditional attire first offered prayers to Durga, then applied sindoor to the goddess and exchanged it with one another. The custom carries prayers for happiness, health and prosperity.

Ganguly, who lives in Trinity Tower, has attended the community puja for 13 years. “When Maa comes, it feels like we are coming home too,” she said. Over the years, she said, the gathering has drawn participation from residents beyond the Bengali community.

Ivy Datta of Wellington Estate described Durga as a mother returning home during the festival, while Shobha Sharma, now a Sector 67 resident, continues to return to the DLF 5 celebrations after moving away. For Sharma, the shared aarti, rituals and volunteering keep the annual puja feeling like a family gathering.