Pre Durga Pujo/Puja Vibes
Durga Pujo is just not a festival for some of us and for the Bengalis, but it is an emotion, and a very joyous emotion at that! An emotion that has reigned for decades. It’s a feeling that weaves diverse emotions and memories from serene Autumn mornings and sparkling Puja evenings. For Indians and especially Bengalis, we do not need to be told about the significance of Durga Puja which is celebrated with high spirits and grandeur. Durga Puja turns into a magnified celebration of a daughter’s annual visit to her parent’s home, i.e. her earthly abode. Extensive planning for Uma’s mega visit (Uma is another name of Durga Devi) starts much well in advance prior to the festival.
It is with the firm and absolute belief that the Divine Goddess Durga’s homecoming is going to destroy the evil and darkness around us. Durga Puja is celebrated by worshipping the mother goddess and the divine feminine force governing the cosmos.
Durga Puja/Durga Pujo refers to everything auspicious. From the floating and fluffy clouds in the sky above, to the blooms and the fragrance of sweet smell of “Shiuli”, (a type of flower) which blooms prior to Durga Puja, to the white smell of “Kashful”, glimmering & swaying to the gentle autumn, and the world seems to wake up after the sulky monsoon. The streets ebb with the pleasant smell of Shiuli. These whiffs cannot be explained, but can be felt, signifying Goddess Durga’s arrival. Come the first weeks of September and we feel the adrenaline rush with our hearts thumping faster in the anticipation of Devi Durga’s homecoming. The mesmerizing sound of Dhak beats already playing in our mind. The sound of Conch shells, which is no less than a divine feeling, reverberates in our ears, though we cannot hear it literally yet, for there is some time to it. What fills the air is the boundless spirit of festivity, inclusion, revelry and happiness.
The slightest indication of a clear blue sky with white scattered clouds and cool breeze will make a Bengali announce to the world “Maa Aschen”, meaning (Maa Durga is coming home). The Agomoni shoots, the sight of Bamboo Poles being tied together to make the beautiful grand Pandals (the temporary but grand theme based structures where idols are housed, worshipped and visited by enormous number of people during the festival). Unique, Creative Durga Puja Pandals every year are an absolute specimen of art by the extremely talented and experienced artists and their team. This is seen much before the festival starts and one knows Maa Durga is arriving with her children. This is an indication that Durga Puja is almost around the corner.
The artisans at Kumartuli, Kolkata give shape to clay to make beautiful Durga idols which are exported across the world. With enormous number of Durga Devi/Debi idols small & huge waiting to be adorned in the small alleys the relentless efforts, the hard work of artisans and people involved to roll the show in few days is admirable. Prior to Durga Puja one has to head to Kumartuli, to watch how the idols are made.
For Bengal it’s that time of the year and is smeared with a festive extravaganza that is very special in Bengal only and different from any other part of India where Durga Puja is celebrated. So prior to Durga Puja the air is absolutely thick with a feeling one gets just before beginning of something big — the unravelling of something extremely huge and special.
From the small alleys to the huge pandals you see artisans working on their craft and gearing up the speed to finish the multiple number of idols with utmost perfection. The sight is a beauty to behold! Durga Puja is an event of many dimensions. It’s woven together in myriads of different beautiful emotions, nostalgia, high spirits, coming together of everyone. An enthusiasm that fills our hearts just in the anticipation of Durga Puja. Sometimes prior to Puja one can hear the renderings of Rabindranath Tagore songs while visiting a residential complex coming across wistful children after laborious dance practice session. Elaborate preparations are planned way ahead of Durga Puja and this Pre-Puja/Pujo phase is wonderful!
For every Durga Maa’s devotee and the Bengalis, Durga Puja is surreal. The Pre-Pujo vibes are filled with enthusiasm and planning the details much before. when we know very soon we are ushering Maa Durga to our homes, we get goosebumps. Awaiting the beautiful carnival and carrying the emotions in our hearts marks the time of happy tides in the coming days, hearalding the advent of the Goddess Durga. Divine Mother signifies the victory and triumph over evil. Let’s manifest auspiciousness and victory in all our endeavours during this Pre Puja phase and seek Divine Mother Durga Maa’s blessings when she comes to us this Durga Puja 2023.
