Durga Puja Festival Ends with Immersion of Idols - India

Durga Puja Festival Ends with Immersion of Idols - India

Hindu devotees smear vermillion on each other during Sindoor Khela on the final day of the Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 2, 2025. Durga Puja or Sharadotsav is a annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. The annual five-day Hindu festival worships the goddess Durga, who symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. Photo by Suvra Kanti Das /ABACAPRESS.COM

Durga Puja Festival Ends with Immersion of Idols - India

Durga Puja Festival Ends with Immersion of Idols - India

Bangladeshi Hindu devotees with sindoor, or vermillion on their faces, dance in front of a Hindu temple on the last day of Durga Puja festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on October 2, 2025. Photo by Suvra Kanti Das /ABACAPRESS.COM

US: White Sage Fire in AZ Forces Evacuations of Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Jacob Lake 2

A rapidly growing White Sage Fire, which started on July 9 approximately 15 miles southeast of Fredonia on Bureau of Land Management lands, has expanded to nearly 50,000 acres with zero containment as of July 14. This has prompted mandatory evacuations along the Grand Canyon's North Rim and for Jacob Lake, leading the National Park Service to close the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

A Hindu woman draws sacred swastika symbols with vermillion during Ambubachi festival rituals at a temple in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The ancient geometric motif, central to the fertility celebrations marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle, adorns temple walls as devotees observe the Ashada month (June-July) traditions. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Married Hindu women smile as sindoor (vermillion) is applied during Ambubachi festival rituals in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The annual celebration, marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle in the Hindu month of Ashada (June-July), symbolizes fertility, with temple sanctuaries remaining closed for three days while devotees gather for worship. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Married Hindu women smile as sindoor (vermillion) is applied during Ambubachi festival rituals in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The annual celebration, marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle in the Hindu month of Ashada (June-July), symbolizes fertility, with temple sanctuaries remaining closed for three days while devotees gather for worship. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

A married Hindu woman smiles as vermillion is applied during Ambubachi festival celebrations in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The annual ritual, observed during the Hindu month of Ashada (June-July), commemorates Goddess Sakti's menstrual cycle - a symbol of divine fertility - when temple sanctums remain closed while devotees gather for worship. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

A Hindu woman draws sacred swastika symbols with vermillion during Ambubachi festival rituals at a temple in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The ancient geometric motif, central to the fertility celebrations marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle, adorns temple walls as devotees observe the Ashada month (June-July) traditions. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Hindu women draw sacred swastika symbols with vermillion during Ambubachi festival rituals at a temple in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The ancient geometric motif, central to the fertility celebrations marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle, adorns temple walls as devotees observe the Ashada month (June-July) traditions. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Hindu women draw sacred swastika symbols with vermillion during Ambubachi festival rituals at a temple in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The ancient geometric motif, central to the fertility celebrations marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle, adorns temple walls as devotees observe the Ashada month (June-July) traditions. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Married Hindu women smile as sindoor (vermillion) is applied during Ambubachi festival rituals in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The annual celebration, marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle in the Hindu month of Ashada (June-July), symbolizes fertility, with temple sanctuaries remaining closed for three days while devotees gather for worship. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ambubachi Festival - India

Ambubachi Festival - India

Married Hindu women smile as sindoor (vermillion) is applied during Ambubachi festival rituals in Agartala, India on June 25, 2025. The annual celebration, marking Goddess Sakti’s menstrual cycle in the Hindu month of Ashada (June-July), symbolizes fertility, with temple sanctuaries remaining closed for three days while devotees gather for worship. Photo by Abhisek Saha/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Sindoor Khela Celebration At Durga Puja Festival - Ajmer

Indian Hindu devotees performs ritual during take part in the Sindoor Khela, where married women annoint each other with vermillion powder, at a temple during the Durga Puja festival in Ajmer, India on 13 October 2024. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

Indian Marred Women apply "Sindur", or vermillion powder, on each other after worshipping an idol of a Hindu goddess during the immersion of the goddess Durga in the Ganges river, this marking the end of the Hindu Durga Puja Festival. The Durga Puja festival is the biggest religious event for Bengali Hindus, believe that the goddess Durga symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil. on October 12, 2024 in in Kolkata, India. Photo by Dipa Chakraborty/ Eyepix Group/ABACAPRESS.COM

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

Indian Marred Women apply "Sindur", or vermillion powder, on each other after worshipping an idol of a Hindu goddess during the immersion of the goddess Durga in the Ganges river, this marking the end of the Hindu Durga Puja Festival. The Durga Puja festival is the biggest religious event for Bengali Hindus, believe that the goddess Durga symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil. on October 12, 2024 in in Kolkata, India. Photo by Dipa Chakraborty/ Eyepix Group/ABACAPRESS.COM

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

Indian Marred Women apply "Sindur", or vermillion powder, on each other after worshipping an idol of a Hindu goddess during the immersion of the goddess Durga in the Ganges river, this marking the end of the Hindu Durga Puja Festival. The Durga Puja festival is the biggest religious event for Bengali Hindus, believe that the goddess Durga symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil. on October 12, 2024 in in Kolkata, India. Photo by Dipa Chakraborty/ Eyepix Group/ABACAPRESS.COM

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

Indian Marred Women apply "Sindur", or vermillion powder, on each other after worshipping an idol of a Hindu goddess during the immersion of the goddess Durga in the Ganges river, this marking the end of the Hindu Durga Puja Festival. The Durga Puja festival is the biggest religious event for Bengali Hindus, believe that the goddess Durga symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil. on October 12, 2024 in in Kolkata, India. Photo by Dipa Chakraborty/ Eyepix Group/ABACAPRESS.COM

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

End of Durga Puja Festival Celebrations

Indian Marred Women apply "Sindur", or vermillion powder, on each other after worshipping an idol of a Hindu goddess during the immersion of the goddess Durga in the Ganges river, this marking the end of the Hindu Durga Puja Festival. The Durga Puja festival is the biggest religious event for Bengali Hindus, believe that the goddess Durga symbolizes power and the triumph of good over evil. on October 12, 2024 in in Kolkata, India. Photo by Dipa Chakraborty/ Eyepix Group/ABACAPRESS.COM

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

(231025) -- BHOPAL, Oct. 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Women apply vermillion on each other's faces during the Hindu festival of Navratri in Bhopal, capital of India's Madhya Pradesh state, Oct. 24, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

(231025) -- BHOPAL, Oct. 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Women apply vermillion on each other's faces during the Hindu festival of Navratri in Bhopal, capital of India's Madhya Pradesh state, Oct. 24, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

INDIA-MADHYA PRADESH-BHOPAL-NAVRATRI-CELEBRATION

(231025) -- BHOPAL, Oct. 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Women apply vermillion on each other's faces during the Hindu festival of Navratri in Bhopal, capital of India's Madhya Pradesh state, Oct. 24, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

NEPAL-KATHMANDU-HOLI FESTIVAL

NEPAL-KATHMANDU-HOLI FESTIVAL

(230227) -- KATHMANDU, Feb. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man scatters vermillion powder after the installation of the Chir, a ceremonial bamboo pole, to mark the beginning of the Holi Festival at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 27, 2023. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated with enthusiasm all over Nepal, marking the beginning of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-KATHMANDU-HOLI FESTIVAL

NEPAL-KATHMANDU-HOLI FESTIVAL

(230227) -- KATHMANDU, Feb. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Vermillion powder scattered on the ground is seen after the installation of the Chir, a ceremonial bamboo pole, to mark the beginning of the Holi Festival at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 27, 2023. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated with enthusiasm all over Nepal, marking the beginning of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Projection mapping art event at Nara's Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Projection mapping art event at Nara's Takamatsuzuka Tomb

NARA, Japan - The image of a Vermillion bird from one of the four murals at Takamatsuzaka Tomb depicting the gods said to rule over the four cardinal compass directions is projected around the cone-shaped ancient burial mound in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 20, 2014. The projection mapping was shown to the press ahead of the start of an event by Japanese and British artists from Feb. 22.

Silver 'hina' dolls to be sold to commemorate princess' wedding

Silver 'hina' dolls to be sold to commemorate princess' wedding

TOKYO, Japan - A set of silver ''hina'' dolls commemorating the wedding of Princess Sayako on Nov. 15 is displayed at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 22. The set consists of two dolls representing an emperor and empress wearing the court dress of the Heian period (794-1185) and three dolls representing court ladies serving the emperor and the empress, sitting on a vermillion-lacquered platform. Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K. will sell the ''hina'' dolls at 150,000 yen per set for display at the annual March 3 Doll Festival.

INDIA-TRIPURA-AGARTALA-HINDU FESTIVAL-DUSSEHRA

INDIA-TRIPURA-AGARTALA-HINDU FESTIVAL-DUSSEHRA

(221006) -- AGARTALA, Oct. 6, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Women apply vermillion on each other's faces during Dussehra festival in Agartala, the capital city of India's northeastern state of Tripura, Oct. 5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)

Silver 'hina' dolls to be sold to commemorate princess' wedding

Silver 'hina' dolls to be sold to commemorate princess' wedding

TOKYO, Japan - A set of silver ''hina'' dolls commemorating the wedding of Princess Sayako on Nov. 15 is displayed at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 22. The set consists of two dolls representing an emperor and empress wearing the court dress of the Heian period (794-1185) and three dolls representing court ladies serving the emperor and the empress, sitting on a vermillion-lacquered platform. Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K. will sell the ''hina'' dolls at 150,000 yen per set for display at the annual March 3 Doll Festival. (Kyodo)

Five main halls (temples) of Matsushima

Five main halls (temples) of Matsushima

It is extremely rare to find rickshaws in a photo with Matsushima Beach in the background, implying that these women must be very upper class. At the time of construction, Godaido Shrine was vermillion, but, only a small part of the shrine building still bears its original color. It is odd that the bridge to the island is not vermillion.==Date:unknown, Place:Sendai, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number92‐26‐0]