Rang-barse revelry marks  “Sindoor  Khela” with Kajol-Rani- Sharbani at Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti (75th year) !

- Chaitanya  Padukone

It was a super-celebratory mood with joyful-cheers and emotional farewell-tears at the grand, finale-day tradition of  ‘Sindoor Khela Utsav’ on Bijoyadashami Day (Dussehra) at the well-organised star-studded Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti Maha-Utsav -2022 ( in its 75^th year)  ! Which was held this year on the spacious  lawns of  the Juhu-Tulip Star -( V Hotels) within the confines of  the ornate opulent divine erected palatial ‘Sheesh Mahal Temple complex’ sets.   Thousands of ardent devotees  were dressed in their  festive-best ethnic wear as they offered their devotional reverence to the  11-feet tall eco-friendly Maa Durga idol.  The enthusiastic < both Bengali and Non-Bengali> women were clad mostly in shades of  bright sindoor- red colored sarees and ethnic outfits  and looked charmingly alluring  yet so dignified.  “ It is Maa Durga who makes all this happen successfully every year with her shower  of  blessings,” exclaimed Debu-Dada and his sentiments were echoed by Raja Mukherjee < Rani Mukherji’s brother> , Samrat Mukherjee, Sujoy Mukherjee  who are actively involved in the organizing of the Utsav,  besides the ladies in the Mukherjee parivaar  . The celebrity turn-out also actively supporting the five-day event comprised of  the glam-Mukherjee parivaar charismatic stars Kajol, Rani Mukherjee-Chopra , Sharbani Mukherjee, and Tanisha who all freely participated in the  ‘Sindoor-Khela’ and smeared each other with the red-Sindoor  with great gusto and gaiety . The glam-celeb turn-out also included vivacious Sherlyn Chopra, Tanushree Dutta, Sumona Chakravarti, Giaa Manek, model-actress Madhavi  Lawre and popular actors like Abhimanyu Singh  and Bablu < Keshto> Mukherjee. On the previous nights, there were  live concerts by top celeb singers like Sonu Nigam, Amit Kumar and Pritam within the  same Hotel lawns-venue where a special hall with excellent acoustic facilities and elevated stage has been erected.  There was also a special musical tribute to late legend Bappi-Da Lahiri coordinated by his daughter Rema Lahiri-Bansal and his grandson junior rockstar-singer  Rego B.

As all the ardent devotees paid their devotional reverence and bid  a sad sentimental farewell to the  sacred huge beautiful idol  of    Maa Durga Devi on the Bijoya Dashami  Dussehra  final Day.  On this day Maa had defeated and killed Mahishaashur. Devi Puja- Bhog with curds, honey and milk is offered to Maa.. this is called Charnamrit The Pujari--Priest sitting on the Aasan takes a flower near the sacred pot and keeps it in the Northern direction because Maa is from Kailash. Then the Pujari takes the sacred mirror which was on the vessel and performs the ritual of Visharjan. This is the same mirror which was used to welcome Maa because her reflection is on the mirror .Sindoor Utsav: The married ladies apply sindur on Maa's  forehead and offer sweets after which all the other  ladies apply sindoor on each other's forehead. This is followed by  Kanak Anjali when Maa is departing back to her husband's abode.