The festivities have ended. And while the odd pandal might still have the idol waiting to be immersed, most now contain only the remaining vestiges of Durga Puja '09.
In Bengal, the onset of autumn is associated with the Bengalis' biggest and most popular annual festival, Durga Puja, heralded by the transition from summer to winter, pleasant sunny days and the unmistakable whiff of shiuli, bokul and kaash flowers in the air. The arrival of the Pujas in Bengal is just so amazing...the rush of pre-Puja activity as well as the variuos changes in nature are tell-tale signs that the event is just days away !!
The Puja in Calcutta is a spectacle. Everyone comes together and takes part in the festivities, putting aside their troubles. They are all out feeling happy and enjoying the same things. Pandal-hopping becomes a way of life for these five days. The glittering lights, music, drumbeats, sweets and dollops of exuberance and vigour all generate such a vibe that people do not mind the madding crowds, slow traffic or the few unexpected spells of rain !
I, generally, celebrate the pujas in my own quiet way. Not of the over-zealous type, I have never been the most exuberant pandal-hopper and prefer to spend quality time with family and friends in a relaxing sort of way. Like every year, I had an enjoyable time this year too! Our college group went out on a whole-night programme, on Sasthi night and Saptami morning, touring the pandals in North Calcutta and some in the South too...Ashtami was beautiful, with anjali and sondhi pujo. Th khichuri bhogs and the lunches at our parar pujo on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami were excellent as well.
While Durga Puja is a celebration of the enduring aura of the Mother Goddess, it also marks a celebration of harmony, of creativity, of merry-making, togetherness and hope ! It gives us so many moments to enjoy and cherish, moments very beautiful... puspanjali on ashtami morning, sondhi pujo, women indulging in sindur khela on Bijoya Dashami, and finally the Bisorjon, to loud cries of "aschhe bochhor abar hobe !! "...
