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 22nd 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.
