The Durga Puja and Bengalis

Om Sarvamangalya Mangalye Shive Sarvarth Sadhike;

Sharanye Traymbake Gauri Narayani Namostute!

Yes! with the holy words a Bengali starts to get into a dream. The dream of celebrating the Durga Puja  with his/ her family and loved ones. The environment which has turned green after the Monsoons seems to welcome Maa Durga in a Grand manner. Everywhere in the air a festive scent mingles. The playful heart synchronizes it self with the rhythms of the Dhaak. And why to keep aside the jolly and playful Dhunuchi Naach.

 After a year the wait is over. Maa is all set to descend down to earth and assure the humanity that life is still good and the earth still a wonderful place to be! There is a sudden change in the routines of people. The shops and bazaars become populated. Each one strives to get the best and the Market competes to fulfill their desires. Everything  seems New in the festive season!

Durga Maa's idol at Bindu Bhawan, Udaipur

Traditionally the Durga Puja is celebrated during the Devi Paksha and is preceded by Mahalaya (15 days before the Durga Puja) and the end is marked by the Kojagari Lokhkhi Pujo.

Durga Puja is celebrated thoroughly in the indian states of West Bengal and Tripura which are predominantly Bengali. Besides these, the states of Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand also play an active role in the Durga Puja celebration. Nowadays many expatriate Bengalis who have settled down in other states also mark their participation into the festival with great enthusiasm and zeal. The states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and many more give a tough competition to the festive Aura during the days of Puja.

The Bangla Proverb 'Sholoyana Bangaliyana' comes to reality in concrete form during these days. It is during these days that a Bengali forgets his hectic schedule and breathes rejuvenation and revival into his life. The 'Bangalir Adda' becomes a prominent scene in the Puja pandals. And when there is Adda, should there be any compromise to the 'Pet Puja to the Bongos'?

The pandals start brimming with the aroma of the mouth watering delicacies cooked and served in traditional Bengali style . While few who prefer roaming in the city, the roadside stalls are an option nothing can second by. The mouth watering 'Foochkas' are the starters and for those being passionate about their stomach the roadsides seems like an 'Oasis' to a thirsty camel! The Mughlai Parathas come in handy, the entangling of the noodles to the fork seems an interesting job and as if it was not enough, there are ice creams ranging from the flavors of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, blackforest and many others! Surely a Bongo and away from food? Impossible!


Day by day the four days just vanish away like a swift deer and people are left with the day of 'Bijaya Dashami'. Yes Maa has to go now promising a comeback the next year but till then, the wait stays on! Leaving behind numerous brimming eyes filled with a dream- a dream to Welcome back Maa as soon as possible!

And then begins the Days of Bijaya as is locally referred as! People visit people and when ther is a visit then no compromise is expected for the 'Paet Puja'. The Bengali houses become a store for 'Narkeler naru', 'Raushogolla', 'nimki' and many other delicacies. These are the happiest days for them in the year.

Lastly these magical days come to an end with the 'Kojagori Lokhkhi Pujo' and life returns to its previous routine but yet keeps motivated to the humans with dreams in their eyes- dreams of achievement' dreams of being successful, dreams of creating a better society and making world a better place to live. Motivation that Maa will soon be back! :)

Asche Bochor Abar Hobe- Maa before immersion