by Shampa Moitra
Durga Puja is the biggest, the grandest festival for Bengalis . When we decided to do Durga Puja, first reaction from each one in family and extended family was- silence and then- what? Seriously!
We too knew we were in for a huge event and planned for the days we had in hand.
Biggest challenge was to find the Durga Maa idol- the traditional Bengali one and as I was searching for the same, got to know about a miniature artist based out of Indirapuram, who makes beautiful Miniature maa durga idols and without looking any further we booked our maa durga idol from him and the most beautiful idol it was.
With things gradually falling in place we somehow got divine indication that all will be well.
Bengali Durga Puja starts from the sixth Day of Navratri or Devi paksha , with Bodhan and abahan ( invitation/ invoking) of all god n goddesses. Followed by each day different rituals, pushpanjali, bhog, aarti, sandhi Puja , visarjan and sindur khela.
My mom was cooking for 40/50 odd people on all four days – saptami ashtmi, navmi n vijaya dashmi. We had footfall of 40-60 each day- family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances, society staff- everyone was invited for darshan and bhog. Many joined in with enthusiasm- across generations. Friends and family and extended family members from all over NCR joined us and participated and helped in so many ways. The community feeling that Durga Puja is famous for – we could feel that in a ‘barir pujo ‘ as well!
It made me realise – the importance of such festivals and how unknowingly we are drifting away from our culture.
Each festival is not a religious activity alone , neither limited to rituals. If we think through, they carry our cultural heritage. Durga Puja preparations at my place started with my mom making coconut laddus – the Bengali style- Nadu and me doing the alpona ( bengali style rangoli) on the entrance and mandir. The menu for these four days was traditional Bengali menu which reflects the culture of traditional Bengali families. Alpona , sankh( conch) blowing, dhaak, music , and even some of the rituals.. the way we traditionally dress up and participate in puja everything is part of a rich cultural heritage which we otherwise are drifting away. This to me it felt like we embraced them all!
I realised our children the next generation – they won’t even know many of these if we do not celebrate such festivals the way they are supposed to be celebrated. So for us- yes – Asche Bochhor Abar Hobe – will celebrate next Year with same enthusiasm or more!!
awesome one shampa..?