16 Durga Puja pandals participate in the inclusive Sindoor Khela event

Around 16 Durga Puja pandals across Mumbai made history this year — they were instrumental in creating an inclusive world amongst sisters.
On Bijoya Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja, the city witnessed a unique Sindoor Khela, which involved not only married women, but every one, irrespective of their socio-economic class, marital status or sexual orientation.Breaking stereotypes, women smeared each other with vermillion to celebrate oneness. Clearly, the days of passive onlookers watching, as married ladies celebrated the traditional ritual, are long gone.

There were no societal conditions applied to the event and there was no discrimination that usually stems from traditions, given that divorcees, single mothers, widows, teenagers, transwomen and transgenders got together for the Bombay Times #noconditionsapply inclusive Sindoor Khela event.

The Times Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav celebrated Sindoor Khela with transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and other transwomen.

At the Kallol Durga Puja, Goregaon (W), unmarried women were included in the Sindoor Khela celebrations. Actress Pooja Banerjee (extreme right) participated enthusiastically

Vashi Cultural Association had married, unmarried, widows, transgenders, under privileged and single women happily participating in the event

Navodaya Sangh, Thane had transgenders Ayat, Rajni and Amma participate in the all- inclusive Sindoor Khela

At Spandan Powai Sharadotsav, unmarried girls participated for the first time along with the married ladies

Bengal Institute Of Art And Culture, Mulund, celebrated Sindoor Khela with spinsters, single mothers and women who separated from their husbands. Among the women celebrating the ritual was a spinster who was touched at being included in the Sindoor Khela this year. She said, “I hadn’t played before, it was amazing to be a part of this inclusive ritual this year.”

Three acid attack survivors and a few transgenders offered prayers to Goddess Durga at Fulcrum Cultural Foundation’s Durga Puja in Thane. Siya Parkar, 23 and Kavita Shetty, 29, acid attack survivors said, “This is our first Sindoor Khela experience. Yahaan pe aake bohut izzat mila hain. Humein koi aise bulata nahin tha…We really enjoyed.”

Actress Tanushree Dutta was seen celebrating the inclusive Sindoor Khela at Ananda Utsav, Lokhandwala, which organised a unique all-women Durga Puja for the first time

Vikhroli Sarbojanin Durgotsav had three transgenders and elderly women, who smeared each other’s faces with vermilion
Maitree Cultural Association, Malad (W), celebrated with widows, teenagers and unmarried women. Kalpana Ghorui applies vermillion on 16-year-old Priyadarshini

Bengal Club, Shivaji Park celebrated with transwomen Navya Singh and Priya Chaudhary (center). Navya, overwhelmed to be a part of this special ritual appreciated the inclusive Sindoor Khela campaign. She said, “I am a big devotee of Durga Maa and this was the first time I felt that I actually celebrated with Maa when I participated in the Sindoor Utsav.”

Beverly Park Social and Cultural organisation, Mira Road, brought widows, acid attack survivors, divorcee, unwed mothers and transgenders under one roof

Navi Mumbai Bengali Association, Vashi, had widows playing Sindoor Khela after decades. They were overwhelmed that they were invited to participate in this unique inclusive event


North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samity, Vile Parle, celebrated Sindoor Khela with unmarried women. Actress Sumona Chakravarti was a part of the ritual. (above) Actress Sharbani Mukherji and Ishita Dutta

Airoli Bengali Association also participated in this event

Bombay Durgabari Samiti, Tejpal Hall, celebrated with unmarried girls who were a part of Sindoor Khela for the first time