Gurugram, Oct. 21 -- For Rituparna Ganguly, saying goodbye to Durga involves the small attentions of seeing a daughter off: sweets to offer, a diya to light and paan to give her before she leaves. The goddess is returning to her sasural, and there are things to be done before the farewell.

Then the women turn to one another and exchange sindoor.

At DLF Club5 in Gurugram, residents from different neighbourhoods gathered for Sindoor Khela, bringing the community's Durga Puja celebrations to a close. Women dressed in traditional attire offered prayers to the goddess before taking part in the exchange that gives the ritual its name.

Observed on Vijayadashami, Sindoor Khela carries prayers for happiness, health and prosperity. Married women...