Festivity and the Fading Charm

My last post readers would have definitely understood my interest for Durga Puja . I had been waiting for this season since 1 year. Last year I could not visit my hometown – Dhanbad for Durga Puja where I enjoyed it since my childhood for 21 years. And suddenly on the 22^nd year I could not attend it because of my job. This seriously depressed me and I decided to save holidays at any cost to visit my homeplace for Durga Puja. I did so successfully. But what hurt me was the charm of Durga Puja celebrations being faded.

I could simply think sitting with two of my old friends who were similarly determined to visit this year. What came out of our discussion were myriad things ranging from people migrating from their homes, monotone and price rise. Puja pandal used to be a place where we could meet up friends, have long discussions on schools, colleges, fun, crushes,have love-at-first-sights (some of them even leading to a long term relationships). But this time all I could observe were things going for the sake of tradition. There were some elderly people who were carrying on the Puja ceremony with a dull energy. The most eerie feeling comes when some acquaintances and old friends who have settled in the same place are now married and more surprisingly are having kids. They have definitely joined a different league. You can’t crack jokes with them!! The crowd was sparser at the Pandal. The ice-cream and the panipuri chat shops which used to be at high demand were not flooded with customers. All these deeply saddened the festive charm of Durga Puja.

                                But the best part comes when I could really feel a bit satisfied was seeing the crowd shed tears for Goddess Durga on the Immersion of the idol. The 4-day affair of Puja gives new friends, new experiences and most importantly the feeling of change in us. Goddess Durga in her presence makes everyone feel special. People still have faith. People still have the attachment with the Festive spirit. The tears trickling down the cheeks while immersing the idol and the chant of “Jai Durga” divulge the emotion.I could sense the pain on my heart which is similar to something close to you being taken away and that's inevitable. At the end of the day - some things cant be the same. Things change, People bound to change and Priorities should change.

Durga Puja, Bengal and Indian Railways

A blog post after nearly 2 years.
Its Durga Puja and the luckiest thing one can have during this time is an A/C class ticket in railways to home. Yes I had one – though that was booked 120 days before the journey right at 8 am, but the moment you see even the Sleeper class packed like match boxes with sticks and an A/C Confirmed ticket in your hand, that feeling is awesome. As soon as I got in the bogie I could see that one of the most revered trains in South India – Coromondal Express was bearing a deserted look inside. Though I was initially a bit disappointed but thanks to the attendee who looked after it immediately. Durga Puja and Bengal form a best combo for festivity. As soon as the train smears into Bengal, I could smell the festive aroma. Getting down at Howrah is very special for me. All my childhood memories of travel through Howrah reel in front of my eyes. The liveliness of Howrah attracts me a lot. Literally, one can spend hours watching at the constantly running crowd of Howrah. Here, crowd never reduces; it just gives a message – “Keep Moving on”. I was wondering how all trains are jam packed and people with all pain are travelling just to reach home and enjoy with their beloved, the blessings of Maa Durga. Everyone looked tired but the eagerness to reach home flashed in their eyes and this was the same case with me. All the feeling of happiness in returning to home was intensified with the vigour I could sense on my way. Though I didn’t have the opportunity to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja, the glimpse of the festive mood itself was reverberating.
Wishing everyone a Very Happy Dussehra, Vijaya Dasami and Shubho Bijoya.