Chhath 2026 Sindoor Tradition: – The grand festival of Chhath will begin on November 13 and conclude on November 16. In Bihar, Chhath Puja is celebrated with great fervour. During the festival, a unique sight can be observed at the riverbanks (ghats): women, dressed in traditional sarees, apply a long streak of sindoor (vermilion) extending from the tip of their nose up to their hairline (maang).
This long line of sindoor adds a distinctive touch to their traditional adornment. You may have often noticed women applying *sindoor* in this manner during Chhath Puja. Did you know that there are several religious beliefs associated with this practice? The *sindoor* used by women during Chhath Puja is orange in colour. Let us explore the mystery behind applying this orange *sindoor* and understand its significance.
Key reasons for applying sindoor in this manner:
Wishing for a husband’s longevity: In Hinduism, it is believed that the longer the streak of *sindoor*, the longer the husband’s lifespan. This is why women apply sindoor from the tip of their nose to their hairline during Chhath Puja—though it should be noted that this is a traditional folk belief.
Symbol of the Sun God: Chhath is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The colour orange is considered a symbol of the Sun’s rays, energy, and radiance. For this reason, women express their devotion to the Sun God by using this specific colour of sindoor during the festival.
Symbol of purity: This orange *sindoor* also represents the purity, rigorous penance, and dedication of the woman observing the vrat (fast)—a 36-hour-long fast without even a drop of water (nirjala vrat). Women observe this 36-hour fast for the well-being of their children, the longevity of their husbands, and the prosperity and happiness of their households. In this context, the long streak of *sindoor* serves as a symbol of their marital status (suhaag) and their heartfelt prayers for the well-being of their family.
Why is sindoor significant in traditional adornment? In Chhath Puja, traditional adornments—such as sarees, bangles, bindis, and sindoor (vermilion)—hold a special significance. In Hinduism, sindoor is considered a symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune; this is why women apply it in a distinct manner during the festival of Chhath.
While women typically use red or yellow sindoor, the colour orange holds particular importance during Chhath. Furthermore, for Chhath Puja, it is applied in a specific way: starting from the tip of the nose, it is drawn upwards across the centre of the forehead and along the parting of the hair.