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Showing posts with label anwesha on Durga Puja in its different shades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anwesha on Durga Puja in its different shades. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Durga Puja in Different Shades

Durga Puja, a major festival in Bengal, now has a national presence. Many are not aware of the fact that worship of Maa Durga, according to the Hindu scriptures, fall in the month of Chaitra which is roughly around March or April. This ceremony is not observed by many and is restricted with in a few in the state of West Bengal. The popular form known as Saradiya Durga Puja is celebrated with lot of pomp and splendor either in the month of September or October. 
                                      
                                           picture source:  Anwesha Guha Thakurta
Initially the Puja was organized by affluent families since they had the money and resources to organize the festival. But later in 19thand 20th century middle class people in Bengal also wanted to start the Puja. They created the community or Sarbojanin Pujas
Durga Puja in Kolkata is a feast for the eyes and tinkle the aesthetic senses because of the innovative concepts every year. This is the time for people residing abroad or outside their home state or city to return to unite with their families and enjoy the Puja at the fullest. Those who are not lucky enough to return home form associations in their respective places and perform the Puja. Hence, Durga Puja has taken the national form and is even celebrated abroad internationally. 

                                             picture source: Anwesha Guha Thakurta

The Puja continues for a brief span of time but the run up to the festivities start early. It is the time for people to shop for clothes, accessories and all types of goods. A new look in the festive season is a must! Pandals are constructed in every nook and corner of the streets of Kolkata and designer lights take centre stage. Kumartuli in North Kolkata becomes busy as they have to prepare the idols of the Goddess according to the specifications of different Puja committees. 

The festive mood builds up as Dhakis from the country side starts gathering in the city.The city takes a different look during these days especially at night. Bengalis spent sleepless nights staring round the city and craze for Bengali traditional food increases. As Bengalis are famous for their addas’ they unite together and sit for adda.

In early years when Durga Puja was held, it had spirit of worship inside it. But as days are passing in modern age the spirit is fading away from society.  Now people have a craze for apparent happiness which is personified in pomp and glamour. However, the inner charm of this Puja is fast fading.
Whenever we contemplate of the idols the image of Maa Durga accompanied with her daughters and sons under a single roof (ekchala) engrosses our mind. However, now it is the age of "theme". 

TV and Radio channels telecast live the Durga Puja celebration of different pandals. Many local language channels devote themselves wholly to the Puja celebrations. Even local language magazines bring out special Puja numbers. 

When in one side the people of the state become busy spending sleepless nights pandal hopping and tasting foods of nearby stalls wearing their new fashionable cloths, some others spend nights hoping for a solid sleep with proper shelter and clothing, dreaming of just full meal once a day. For these people the days of Puja are no different from any other days of hardship. Wish Maa Durga bless them luck and make their situation better. 

About the Author-


Anwesha Guha Thakurta  is student of Journalism & Mass Communication at Muralidhar Girls College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of the Dispassionate Observer.

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