As a part of my daily ritual, I glance through our collection of children books and choose one book that I shall read-aloud to my two little princess. Invariably, this is the book for which I send reviews to all my library and non-library friends.
Today, was rather a long day because it has been pouring, here in Mumbai and to ensure child-safety, schools had declared a holiday. This would mean some extra hours for me to engage the daughters 😛
Gazing through the books, what caught my eye was Amma! Tell me about Durga Puja and immediately I was overwhelmed with the thought of sharing this with the two princess.
Yes, you may have guessed it right. I am born and brought up in Kolkata (residing in Mumbai post marriage). Although, a true Mumbaikar at heart, any association with “Kolkata” brings a sweet smile!!
Kolkata the city of joy,
the city of “sandesh”,
the city of “rosogulla”,
the city of “puckka” (not pani-puri)…
the city of “Durga Puja” or I would say “Poojo”
Bhakti Mathur strikes the right chord when she says that “Colourful pandaals have come up everywhere To host the biggest outdoor festival in the world!”
Ask anyone and they will tell you that to celebrate the festival of Durga Puja there could be no other place better than Kolkata – the hustle and bustle of the city, the excitement around will take you in a different world altogether.
It all starts much before when the neighbouring committees traditionally go door-to-door asking for “chandaa” – seeking funds for idol and pandaal decoration. Each committee trying to bring out the best creativity and making the best “pujoo pandaal”. No family, irrespective of which family, creed or caste they belong to, can stay aloof from going to pandaal hopping. The city dazzles with lighting that possibly, is a rare sight anywhere else in the country. Kolkata is known to gift artists around the world and the creativity in the city can be seen live!
People take hired cabs for whole night and stand in queues for many many hours just to visit the pandaal. The street foods vendors all over are indeed an added attraction. Traditionally, someone from Kolkata will easily tell you how people will just not want to miss the puja pandaals made at some places like
Shree Bhoomi
Dum Dum Park
GolPark
Park Circus,
Mohammad Ali Park
College Street etc
These are local street pujas that have won prizes and recognition for their beautiful set-ups year after year. Committees are set-up to visit pandaals all over the city and recognise their efforts. Some committes also invite celebrities and professionals for evening shows.
While in the city during the Durga Puja, you can’t miss
the beats of drums and the melody of “shankh”
morning pushpanjali, prayers and the bhog
the aarti and the dhunuchi dance
the sindoor khela
the dress-up of each citizen enthusiastically ready to see “pujoooo”;
the street food and
finally, the farewell ceremony on Dashammi to bid bye to Maa Durga
Ahh!!! As I write this I probably sailed through my childhood memories associated with the festival.
Welcome Maa Durga – come abroad with your children – Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and bless us!!
Thank you Bhakti Mathur for bringing so many emotions live in me. The book deals a lot more about the festival and even the mythological story behind it about how Maa Durga won over Mahisa…the vicory of good over evil and the incarnation of “Shakti” – the woman power.
For now, signing off
Anisha
#lessgadgettime #morebooktime
Don’t miss on the little craft that I and my daughter did on Maa Durga.
About myself: A mother to two (one 4 and half and another one and half) princess and the founder of Kidzalaya – a children book library that aims at bringing quality reading at easy reach. To more about us visit www.facebook.com/kidzalaya