Durga Puja Diaries!!! Part 1

Everything is just so colourful, so shiny. It’s  all smiles and laughter and so very bright. Festivities and celebrations are in the air. Even in the day you feel an extra glow. The whole city is filled with joy. Yes, it’s the city of Joy. It’s my Kolkata. 

Yes, my Kolkata. No, I don’t stay particularly in Kolkata. I hail from a small town, Ramrajatala, Howrah. And I am proud of it. But Kolkata is as much mine as it is of any other person staying in Kolkata. Actually, I feel lucky to be staying in Howrah, I get to see and pray to the holy Ganges through the spectacularly lit Hoogly bridge or Second bridge (as we call it locally) twice everyday I am out, which is sometimes the only place of relief and cool breeze. I also get to see all the special tourist attractions of Kolkata, Howrah bridge, Hoogly bridge, Victoria Memorial and the cultural centre of Rabindra Sadan every single day. Tell me how many kolkata staying folks get this lucky every day? We may not even realize this  when we pass these places everyday. But ask anyone who stays away from this city for the whole year, you will hear a different story. 

Yes, this is that time of the year for me when like Ma Durga I visit my  hometown. However unlike Her, it’s my job that keeps me away from my family and not my husband! It’s Durga Puja. That says it all! This is the time when if you are a Bong, your heart wails for Kolkata. And if that’s not possible, atleast we make it a point to be together with our family wherever we are. This is the time when the curfew of 7pm stretches up to and beyond 10 pm, at times even overnight. This is the time when the huge crowd does not look frightening and the long queue looks patient. This is the time when traditional wear becomes a fashion and colour becomes a trend. This is the time when local love stories become famous in the neighbourhood. This is the time when expenditure is the last thing on anyone’s mind and gifts are showers on loved ones, shopping in loads feels just the right thing to do. This is the time your musical talent is appreciated and is in demand at every forum. This is the time when you out wake up to the musical beats  of the famous “dhak”! And you find it cheerful unlike any other day of the year. Family reunions, meeting long lost buddies happen now. All the delicious delicacies are revisited during these days. And street foods gain a special charm to the already feathered hats. Everyone is in such a happy mood without any reason. All it takes is just the thought of the glimpse of Goddess Durga‘s  gorgeous graceful face. It is one of the only times when staying away from Kolkata haunts you. And it’s also one of the rarer times when people here forget everything Kolkata is not and just appreciate everything Kolkata is and was -  a beautiful city built by a British architect, with the soul of a Bong! It is Durga Puja!

Wish you all a very happy Durga Puja!! To all the people in Kolkata, cheers! To the poor souls away from all this delight, my heart goes out to you. Wherever you are, take 5mins from your busy day and tune in to the sounds of Dhak or chime in to the Mahishashur Mardini chant, steal your moments of Puja, smile and cheer up! It’s Durga Puja!!! :) :) :)