Mahalaya is round the corner and most of us are not
feeling the vibe this time thanks to COVID-19! There is also an unusual wait of
35 days between Mahalaya and the start of Durga Puja. ‘Sarater Akash’ (autumn
sky) which gives us the goosebumps in anticipation of Bengal’s biggest festival
is failing to trigger that sense of happiness. ‘Kaash-phool’ which is a
symbolical harbinger of this special month is suddenly appearing ordinary on
the roadside. COVID numbers in India and in the state are alarming with no
immediate hope of the numbers coming down. A large number of people have
succumbed to comorbidities after being infected by the virus. This ‘virusasur’
with a mysterious origin in China has led to large scale infections and deaths
across the globe leading to negative economic growth and job losses.
Over the years, before this pandemic derailed normal
life, the coming of Mahalaya signalled the upcoming Puja holidays in schools and
colleges and the busy professionals also eagerly looked forward to few days of
break from their routine life. This year sadly Sundays have also lost their
charm. It’s mostly work from home and compulsorily study from home. The madness
and the euphoria over pre puja shopping are also missing and we joke among
friends that if at all you buy something you buy PPE suit, face shield, masks
of various designs and sanitizer bottles. Some puja pandals across the city
have started constructing pandals but the enthusiasm is missing for the medium
and small pujas as budget is a big constraint this year. Last day as I was
walking past one of the idol-making units in my locality I could see the
dwindling numbers of idols being prepared. There is an overbearing gloom which
has cast its shadow on Ma Durga also. The festival special publications like
Anandamela, Suktara and others are out and on display at various newspaper
corners but they fail to invoke the “Pujo” mood. Durga Puja has always been
about life and positive vibes and this virus has hit its soul. Durga Puja was
the source of livelihood for many and this year they are staring at the
darkness. In a few days, we will be listening to the morning Mahalaya
Chandipath by legendary Birendra Krishna Bhadra but the spirit to look up to it
is somewhere missing.
Let’s have a different way of looking at it! In my
lifetime there was never a Mahalaya after which there was a 35 days gap for the
Puja to begin. Viswakarma Puja, which has always been about colourful kite
flying for me, is coinciding with Mahalaya. Can stay at home be any better!
Invoking the Goddess in the morning and following it up with kite flying during
the day on the rooftop is pure bliss. Yes, hoardings which start coming up
across various streets of Kolkata are missing but that makes it much cleaner.
For years now Durga Puja has been about the pomp and vulgar display of wealth
by various Puja committees in a bid to be the first among equals. This year
it’s more about the inner essence and reverence. People used to run to various
travel destinations during Puja break. The numbers are going to be less this
time allowing those who used to miss the puja festivities to stay put in the
city and feel the Puja vibes with their family members. The maddening crowd on
the streets will be less, giving a rare sense of serenity. This year it
promises to be different and the indomitable spirit within us will ensure that
we make the most of the opportunities. Ma Durga will be specially armed to deal
with this ‘virusasur’. Make no mistake. This Mahalaya is a rare occurrence and
no matter what the scriptures say there is nothing unholy about it!
Image Source: Mahalaya- www.indianexpress.com
Image Source Kite Flying : www.zeenews.india.com/hindi