Durga Puja, being the biggest and the brightest festival brings along a lot of hope, happiness, love and good times for us, the Bengalis. In fact, over the years, it has truly become a cosmopolitan festival where in people from different communities participate. Well. that's the true meaning of a festival, isn't it?
Durga Puja brings in a lot of memories of both childhood and adulthood. Going out for pandal-hopping at midnight with friends and family. Junk food and not healthy food was our staple for those 5 days. Regular life came to a halt during the festival. Studies were a strict no-no too.
People might ask what is so special about this festival for which Bengalis all over the world wait for the entire year with bated breath. Well, we have no proper answer. But we do wait for those 5 days. We wait for it as a farmer waits for the monsoons. We wait for it as it's the most important work that we need to do.
When we talk about Durga Puja, there is also something that is worth mentioning here, Kolkata, the City of Joy. Before and during the festival, the entire city comes alive. The shopping frenzy before the festival and the crowded pandals during the festival makes it look like a newly-wed bride adorned with the brightest of hues.
There are lot of withdrawal symptoms associated when Durga Puja gets over. Although people exchange greetings and say "Subho Bijaya", in their mind they sulk and crib because they have to wait for another year.
Although this year, I was working during the festival, but no one could take away the excitement and the fervor away from me. Between working and sleeping for only 4 hours, I could manage a lot. Well that is the whole point because it's that time of the year, isn't it?
Subho Bijaya!
larry@mail.postmanllc.net
ReplyDelete