Nostalgia, a bag full of memories and not-so-deep talks
The most awaited festival for a Bengali each year
This empty and hollow feeling of missing Durga Pujo for the first time in my life has left me speechless. It shatters my heart to think of the fact that the ‘dhakis’ (the ones who play the drums are called so in Bengali) won’t be paid to entertain us, the ‘rikshawalas’ in Kolkata aren’t getting paid to take their passengers for rides to the nearby pujo pandals, and the cab drivers fates are no different. The memories of previous pujo celebrations, are to be remembered during these times.
A glimpse of Durga Pujo
Goddess Durga is the symbol of valor, feminism, courage, fearlessness, protection, remover of obstacles and the list goes on. The festival begins with the mark of Mahalaya when Goddess Durga had killed Mahishasura (the buffalo demon) according to Hinduism. The constant disputes between the asuras (demons) and the devas (gods) led to Mahishasura challenging the devas for a war. Mahishasura was given a boon by Lord Shiva that no man could ever kill him. But there was a loophole — what about a woman?
And so goddess Durga was created. The 10 weapons in her hands were each given by a deva to kill the buffalo demon and bring an end to the war. She rode a lion while killing Mahishasura and that’s why the lion remains as part of the idol. Her children are Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Karthikeya and they each have a ‘bahon’ (a vehicle or medium of transport as called in Bengali) just like their mother.
We Bengalis call it Durga Pujo. It’s not puja, it’s pujo. Yes, we have to add the o’s. It is commonly known as Navaratri (nine nights) across North India. The last 5 days are the most important of all days for us. Shoshthi (the sixth day), Saptami (the seventh day), Ashtami (the eighth day), Navami (the ninth day), and Dashami (the tenth day). This is when the rituals and celebrations take place. We bid adieu to Maa (mother) Durga on Dashami by immersing the idol into a water body (preferably the river Ganges). The celebrations don’t end here. Those five days are the most joyous moments that I cherish every year. Meeting dear friends and family after a year, indulging in not-so-deep talks, jamming to songs till late night, and cherishing those moments for the rest of the year until next time.
“Asche bochor abar hobe! Bochor bochor abar hobe! Bolo durga mai ki joy!”
My first pujo in Kolkata
I reminisce walking through the streets of Kolkata at 2 am eating biriyani and drinking ‘bharer cha’ (mud-pot tea) in the year 2012. That was the first time I had been to Kolkata during pujo. Every idol looked better than the other and my eyes glistened and reflected the sequins that Maa Durga was adorned with. Family and cousins all decked up in jewels and the fragrance of unwinding new clothes; all these remain etched in my memory.
I will now get busy in nostalgia and I wish everyone a safe and happy pujo!
