AGARTALA, April 16 (TIWN): On the last day of Basanti Puja, the day of Dashami was observed with zeal and happiness after the married women drenched themselves in Sindoor khela (vermillion game) at Agartala.

It is to be mentioned here that the festival of 'Basanti Puja' was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm.

According to Mythology, Basanti puja started in prehistoric times when the Indian saints started celebration of the festival in this season for peace.

This puja is performed in the month of Chaitra in Bengali calendar which corresponds to March-April of English calendar. Basanti Puja is an age old Bengali festival when Goddess Durga is worshiped by Bengali community where Bengali people reside in large number.

However, Basanti Durga Puja has lost its utmost importance since the time when Lord Rama is believed to have done untimely Durga Puja in autumn, the famous Shardiya Durga Puja, celebrated in the Months of Ashwin or Kartik (September-October) at the same time when Navratri is celebrated in other parts of India.

With the rhythm of Dhak (Drum) and chants people all across the state observed Sindoor khel on Saturday.

Women bid farewell to the Goddess Durga by putting sindoor (vermillion powder) as part of a ritual called as Sindoor Khela.

However, during the celebration traditional Dhunuchi Dance has also been observed with the beats of the Dhak. And finally with the dashami marks the farewell to the Goddess Durga by putting sindoor and performing other rituals. 

On the day married Bengali women plays Sindoor Khela. In Sindoor Khela, married Bengali women bid farewell to Maa Durga and exchange Sindoor (Vermillon) marks on each other’s foreheads and also on the forehead of Maa Durga, with offering of sweets.

Traditional on Dashami, the tenth day is the end of the auspicious occasion of Durga puja. Later, with the end of the celebration the idol of Goddess Durga has been immersed in water bodies