Durga puja, after heard this word, it make the effect to the entire commodity of bengali’s who may are in West Bengal or in rest of the world.
In this, have sentiment, passion, nostalgia & crises also. Every person who is born in a Bengali family or in Bengali culture, are familiar with this word or festival especially in Kolkata.
When I was in my childhood, I still remember ,waiting for the time , when the grassy land will be covered with kashfull , “DHAK” will be started talk in his own language(bol), the Sky will be clean with white cloud like cotton, sun will rise from east with his full light, smell of “Siuli” flower all around in air, which creates a nostalgic atmosphere which you can not forget in your entire life.
This Festival stated with lyrics of the legendary artist Mr. Birendra Krishna Bhadra in All India radio called “Mahishasura Mardini Stotram”., That time internet/Youtube etc was not available just like today. The “Muto phone” ( Mobile) is also not so easy access for all. Although the television only the way through out the year but the elder personal of each family was make the necessary repair of their home transistor ( radio) very before of the festival started.
In the morning 4:30 , every gays wake up with magnetic voice of great Mr. Birendra Krishna Bhadra, who will give you chills and you feel that the time has come and MAA Durga on the way with her family. The bank of Ganges will be full of crowed for giving their prey to those persons of their family who left them, called “PRTITRI TARPAN”.
It was written in our “Purana” (any of a class of Sanskrit writings not included in the Vedas, characteristically recounting the birth and deeds of Hindu gods and the creation, destruction, or recreation of the universe), That “Maa Durga was created for the killing the buffalo demon Mahishasura by Tridev (Loard Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), and the other gods, who became powerless to overcome the monster. Embodying their collective energy (shakti), she is both derivative from the male divinities and the true source of their inner power.”
Festival started with new verities cloth to come from most of the members of the family for all. All family member who are staying outside back to their home, just like that Chicks are back on their nets after the day.
Theoretically the festival stated from the day when the “MATRI PAKHA” started ,that mean the day of “Mahalaya”, but the actual puja starting day called “MAHA SASTHI”. on that day “Devi Bandana” ( Puja) will be start with devotion, passion and nostalgia. As soon as I grown up understand that this is the time mix up with your culture and to understand your traditions.
Next day, is called “MAHA SAPTAMI” after wearing new cloths having lot of time to spend time together with your friends. In between that you may find a pair eyes for which your looking for of entire of your life. This is called “puja or prem” in Bengali. The full day you have no routine work, no phone call from your boss, but have time spend like your own way.
In evening you may going out with our gangs ( Group of Friends) or may with your love for hopping of pandal. It will be unbailable to you when you saw of millions of people are out in road for pandel hopping in full night. They are not busy to back home. It looks like flowing of water in the road especially in Kolkata.
Next day, the main day of this traditional puja, “MAHA ASTHMI” when maa will be idolize as a KUMARI PUJA, as it also a traditional part of this festival. At our homes this day we can’t took any food till “PUSPA ANJALI” are completed and also not took rice or any non veg item as food for this day. In many of the pandel organize lot of Bengali culture programs which also creates nostalgia around us.
Next is “MAHA NABAMI” which is very pain full day because after this day MAA will be back to her home with his family. We all think that may the clock can stop so that we can spend more time with “ UMA” the Daughter of Bengali’s Mother, ( as maa Durga also known as our daughter).
Bijoya Dashomi, is the day when we said adieu to maa Durga to send her in-law’s home at Kailash with full of tear in our eyes and also the hope that next year she will again come back with her blessing.
In West benagl. This festival is the main festival along with others. But it is not bounded in the border of Bengal, you may find everywhere in world. In Kolkata, this festival, having two type, one is traditional puja and other is theme based. Mainly in north Kolkata, where you found the traditional “Mrinmay” idol of Maa Durga, where as in south Kolkata you can find the theme base idol. You can also experience the difference kind of pandal in this both area. But one thing is common for all the area is madness of every age of people for this festival. In this time there is no religious, no enemy ,nothing is difference among us. You may also can experience the legendary test of Bengali foods, Fish & sweets, mainly the love of the people around you. In this particular time no one cook their food at home, but to love eat the food out side with their friends family members. Durga Puja in Kolkata” on the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in UNSCO.
In some day when I was in Rajasthan one of my friend asked me , what is the meaning of durga puja for a Bengalis? I was answered with a smile that” Kavi tho ayyo hamare haveli pe!”
It is really a amazing , unspeakable memories which I am carrying from my childhood may not be compare with other festival in the world. If you also want to experience such kind of madness ,must try to visit the “CITY OF JOY” Kolkata, My nest at the time of DURGA PUJA
