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Showing posts with label Durga Puja 2020. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Durga Puja 2020. Show all posts

Monday, September 14, 2020

Virusasur Mardini-Mahalaya with a Difference



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


Virusasur Mardini-Mahalaya with a Difference

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...