Durga Pujo – The Festival of Unity – Prevailing folds to unfold………

Durga Puja epitomizes the ultimate scurry in the heart of Bengalee. The essence of the festival is well adorned with the sprouting Nyctanthes (in bengali – Siuli) and Sachharum spontaneum (in bengali – kash). However we celebrate the Durga Puja stealthily from months before. Countdown starts to have plethora of happy moments with friends and family.

From about 16th century we worship the goddess of weal power to win over all the evils. Though the evil British were the invitees in the Durga pujo of Sovabazar Rajbari during the reign of Raja Nabakrishna Deb since 1757; we forget all the bitter truths. Perhaps the almighty wants to make us look at the things of good only. She has the magical power to spread sprinkles of good to people.

The cerulean sky with wreath of clouds enamours little hearts. The youth looks flushed with the colour of love. In fact it’s the best time to tune your beloved’s heart with the sound of drummer’s stick.

All enjoy the festive mood irrespective of religions and social classes. When ‘Maa Durga’ arrives everyone is impelled to have some good fortunes.

Mahalaya- The beginning of ‘Debipaksha’. Durga Puja’ is ambiguous if we somehow be unable to listen to the ‘mahisasur-mardini’ programme. The voice of Virendra Krishna Vadra pronuncing the sacred verses has created a legacy indeed since 1931. The story how the goddess imbibed the evil powers of Mahisasur has always been stirring for children. Nowadays the animated ‘mahisasur- mardini’ is becoming impeccable to attract tiny eyes. The ‘Mahalaya’ prods us again to remember that only a week is left to welcome ‘Maa Durga’ on the earth.

Sasthi– ‘akal bodhon’

In mythology it is depicted that Rama wanted to worship ‘Maa Durga’ with 108 blue lotuses to rescue his abducted wife Sita from the grasp of evil Ravana but he could find only 107 blue lotuses. So he conferred his one eye resembling the blue lotus to complete his worship. History is attractive when we match it with the present. If we consider 21st century then pandal hopping is the major attraction seemingly. Taking good foods and clicking selfies and pictures are part of the puja days. Though the huge gathering of people in front of a good restaurant makes me lazy still being a Bengali the intensity of taking delicious food is always high😋.

Pandal hopping in Sasthi 2019 (south kolkata) with shreya di.

Saptami – ‘The bathing of Nabapatrika’

Banana plant along with 8 other plants implying 9 Gods, tied and later placed beside Lord Ganesha and it’s considered as his wife.

One of the famous pandals of North Kolkata is Bagbazaar Sarbojonin. Here delicious ‘bhog’ is distributed to every people around 2 pm.

Another traditional puja which made me glad was the puja of Jorasanko Dawn Bari. One can get the essence of true aristocracy here. It can be a good meeting place.

Astami– (Sandhi puja)

One hundred and eight earthen lamps are lit during the sandhi puja. It is the most auspicious day which starts with the morning ‘pushpanjali’. Astami is famous for the worship of weapons of the goddess. In many places girl of 5 or 6 year is adored to dignify the woman power.

This puja started in 1770 during the reign of Raja Ramlochon Roy. Lord Clive came when the first pujo was celebrated with sweets of 10 thousands rupees and 108 lotuses.