“...Durga Puja, at the onset of autumn, articulates a most peculiar paradox. In a purely physical and material sense, the city comes to a standstill. Traffic becomes even slower, walking becomes impossible with millions of people out on the streets, and business comes to a halt. But in another sense, the city comes alive. Calcutta, despite its poverty, its deprivation and its lack of certain amenities, is suddenly gripped by a new spirit of joy, gaiety and abandon...”
This is how a certain newspaper described the biggest festival of the Bengalis.
Maa Durga’s homecoming is a unique experience which Bengalis all over the world cherish. The eager wait before the pujo, the zest for enjoyment and then finally the sense of involvement can find no parallel.
This is the only time of the year when impoverished families forget their worries and celebrate, when the rich and the poor divide goes for a toss and everyone is out there to celebrate the homecoming of Maa Durga.
Durga Pujo is important not just as a religious occasion, but for the enduring tradition it symbolises.
Durga Pujo is very close to my heart. It reminds me of my childhood, the days that I spent in Calcutta simply enjoying the entire occasion and the experience as a whole.
For me, it is the best time of the year. These five days make up for the rest of the year.
However, the only sad thing about it is that it is too short...why can’t Maa Durga be here for 365 days?
Showing posts with label Maa Durga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maa Durga. Show all posts
Friday, September 28, 2007
Durga Puja and a deep regard for nature!
Durga Puja is all set to go eco-friendly this year.
A prominent body of the priests has ordered its members to perform the rituals sans plastic. The organisation issued a diktat to all its members in West Bengal, urging them not to use plastic in any form while performing the prayer rituals. According to the diktat, no devotee can offer garlands, flowers or fruits in polythene carry bags. Plastic flowers used for decorating idols and plastic pouches for distributing bhog (food of the goddess) would also be barred.
This is really a novel idea considering that apart from environmental pollution, the huge quantity of plastic used during the five days of festivities could lead to disaster if a fire broke out.
Apart from placing a ban on the use of plastic, the member priests have also been asked to discourage the use of candles and wax during the festival as these are made of paraffin, which is injurious to health. Instead, the priests have been asked to promote diyas that are filled with ghee or oil.
This effort by the organisation is really heartening… So get set to get engulfed in a medley of ornamentation, illumination, the aroma of mouth-watering delicacies and the sweet aroma of the diyas.
A prominent body of the priests has ordered its members to perform the rituals sans plastic. The organisation issued a diktat to all its members in West Bengal, urging them not to use plastic in any form while performing the prayer rituals. According to the diktat, no devotee can offer garlands, flowers or fruits in polythene carry bags. Plastic flowers used for decorating idols and plastic pouches for distributing bhog (food of the goddess) would also be barred.
This is really a novel idea considering that apart from environmental pollution, the huge quantity of plastic used during the five days of festivities could lead to disaster if a fire broke out.
Apart from placing a ban on the use of plastic, the member priests have also been asked to discourage the use of candles and wax during the festival as these are made of paraffin, which is injurious to health. Instead, the priests have been asked to promote diyas that are filled with ghee or oil.
This effort by the organisation is really heartening… So get set to get engulfed in a medley of ornamentation, illumination, the aroma of mouth-watering delicacies and the sweet aroma of the diyas.
Get set to welcome Maa Durga!
The monsoon rains have withdrawn... there is freshness in the autumn air which is augmented by the clear sunshine. The beautiful sights of kaash flowers swaying under deep blue skies and sweet scent of shiuli all remind us of the fact that Maa Durga’s homecoming is just a few days away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)