Ma Durga r Pujo

Can you smell the intoxicating fragrance of Sharat kaal and hear Anandamayee’s footsteps in the air ? Does your heart beat in the rhythm of Dhaak and K(N)asar coming from within ? Yes, it is that time of year once again.

Thats wat every bengali live for..... The entire year we wait for those three days (sapthmi....asthami...&...navami it means 7th 8th and the 9th day) when the entire bengali community comes together to celebrate Ma er Aagomon (Mother's Homecoming).

Hmmnnnn.....the three days .......one doesnt even know how time flies by........it just feels yesterday that I was listening to Mahalaya....and..........

Well.....coming back...... the traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of "devipaksha" and the beginning of the count-down of Durga Puja.

To commemorate this festive occasion , the preparation starts about a 2-3 months back. No stones are left untouched to make this occasion a success. Afterall it is our Ma who comes to visit us only for a few days after an entire year.

The ocassion ...... as I told above..... starts with Mahalya ....thats the first of the ten days of the festivities. On this day bengalis living in Kolkatta visit the Holy Ganges.

The following days are spent on various activites such as giving finishes touches to pujo pandals .... running everywhere for chaanda (hehe) etc.

The real celeration starts from Mahasapthmi ie 7th day of Ma staying with us. Its fun and frolic all day around....adda with your friends being the only exercise of the day (and to top it all.........u get to savour the lip smacking........bengali cuisine.... damn I feel hungry already).

Mahashthami and Navami passes in the same manner.

The day of Vijaydashami is generally marked by gloom and saddness. Well.....atleast I felt something like that. Especially during the time of Bishorjon of the Idol of Ma.

To tell u the truth ........ I........I couldn't stop my eyes from getting moist. Especially because this was the first time I ever went for bishorjon. With heavy hearts me and my friends departed to our houses......back to life.......as usual.......work as usual......huh??

But as they say "Ashchey bochor abar hobey" (Next year ..... again).

Before I finish this very......long..........Post......of mine.

Lets.....atleast.....for the last time.......this year.......shout in unison.

BOLO DURGA MAI KI........JAI !!!

PS: I FORGOT.....SO BAD OF ME....