Festive season is here and being a Bengali, Durga Pujo is a very crucial and one of the biggest festival of the community,but this year it was different for me,I am living in a different city and being away from Kolkata is a bit disheartening at this time of the year specially when there are positive and enthusiastic vibes all around the city.
As they say, you can take a Bengali away from Bengal but you can’t take Bengal away from a Bengali, In support of the above saying I made sure I at least explore some Pandals while I am away from all the Bengali fervor,'bongs and Bengaluru'are a deadly combination, ofcourse it cannot match the enthusiasm of Kolkata’s festive environment, however,the glittering lights,gleeful faces of the Bengalis who are away from home but still have this opportunity of offering prayers and Anjoli to Maa Durga is in itself enough to give a feeling of being in Bengal. The rush of all the Bengalis pushing and stumbling upon each other to have a glimpse of Maa Durga is in itself a feeling of belonging to the famous Durga Pujo vibe, elegantly dressed in 'lal par sada' saree making the Bengali ladies stand out in a foreign land is another opportunity of giving a homely feeling,
Last but definitely not the least ,The famous Bhog which is basically khichdi but it is the only time when it outstands the taste of ordinary khichdi,made with lot of love and devotion this heavenly dish is a mandate in everyone’s pujo menu.
As they say all good things come to an end,the gleeful faces of the Bengalis turn to mourning as they bid adieu to maa durga with the slogan 'Asche bochor abar hobe' to keep alive the hope in their hearts that they will again welcome Maa with lot more enthusiasm and have their anticipation at peak for the coming year.
