The 4 days of Durga Puja just passed by the blinking of my eyes. Well, every year it is the same story. From around August, the Puja shopping starts in Kolkata with full vigor and we all get so excited with the "Pujo Asche, Pujo Asche" (Durga Puja is almost here!) feeling and then finally when the festival arrives, we indulge so much in celebrations, pandal hopping, food and enjoyment that we completely lose track of time. On the day of Dashami, we all are filled with a melancholic feeling when we have to bid adieu to the Goddess. I get emotional on every year and then console the heart, saying "Asche bochor abar hobe" (The next year, Ma Durga will again come and the celebrations will happen!) So, here are some photographs of Durga Puja, 2015.
(Idol of Behala Club)
(Posing in front of the idol of Behala Club)
(Theme Puja of Mukul Sangha: The theme is Nataraj)
(Durga Puja in a neighbor's house)
(Durga Puja in Bonedi Bari: Roy House)
(Dressed as a traditional Bengali on the morning of Maha Ashtami to offer pushpanjali to the Goddess)
(The grand chandelier of Ekdalia Evergreen)
(The idol of Ekdalia Evergreen)
(Pandal decor of Singhi Park)
(Idol of Singhi Park)
This year, the Durga Puja was very special as I got plenty of time to spend with my family. As I stay so busy in my work all day, I cannot give enough time to my family. So, these 4 days of Durga Puja gave me an ample amount of time to spend with my father and grandmother. I totally stayed away from my laptop and computer. We talked about several things, spend time in the pandals, had great food and prayed to our heart's content. It was a lovely time spent, indeed.
I also discovered a beautiful calmness within me when I was looking at the eyes of the idol of Ma Durga. The four days helped me to see myself in a new light, as I was praying to the Goddess. It made me humble, grateful, more focused and I was capable of driving away the shreds of darkness that was languishing in some corner of my being.
Beautiful moments and good times pass by really quickly, leaving behind only memories to cherish. Anyways, after indulging in Biriyani, fried rice, chilli paneer and pizza all these days, it is time to indulge in sweets. After all, Durga Puja ends with the season of Bijoya. In Bengali tradition, Bijoya means "Victory" which we Bengalis celebrate by giving respect to elders and love to all, apart from having sweets of course. The Bijoya is celebrated as Durga Puja ends and continues till Diwali. As I have a sweet tooth, I love the season of Bijoya.
Subho Bijoya to all.
Stay blessed. Stay happy and spread happiness.
you have had so much of fun :-) the pictures are so beautiful...
ReplyDeletemay She bless you and grant you all that you desire my girl :-)
Yes, I had lots of fun :D
DeleteThank you so much dear. God bless you too :)
Divine pictures of goddess Durga and divine pictures of you. Khub sundor lagchis dear <3 Pujo are the most memorable time of the year for Bengalis. May Goddess Durga bless all of us. :-) :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so so much, my dear for the lovely compliment :) ^_^
DeleteYes, indeed Pujo is the most awaited time of the year for Bengalis and the day of Dashami really makes me emotional. Stay blessed always.
And I would love to know how you enjoyed Durga Puja this year in a post, if possible :)
i absolutely loved each picture :) may durga bless you and your family with lots of happiness,health and success :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sachin. God bless you too. Keep smiling :)
DeleteWhat lovely photos indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Glad you liked them.
DeleteA very happy Bijoya to you Purba. This is such a lovely post with all the more beautiful pictures. You look so pretty in saree and perfectly compliment the surroundings.
ReplyDeleteMay Maa Durga bless you with all the joy, prosperity and victory in all walks of life.
Subho Bijoya, Ma'am to you and your family :)
DeleteIt's so wonderful to see you here. Thank you so much for the lovely wishes, compliments and blessings.
Sending lots of good wishes your way. Stay blessed always :)
You seemed to have enjoyed a lot my dear. I feel so happy seeing your breathtakingly beautiful pictures. You look lovely draped in sheer elegance. <3 I loved your way of expressing the festive fervor blooming inside you, especially "I was capable of driving away the shreds of darkness that was languishing in some corner of my being."
ReplyDeleteAnd the best part is that you were able to spend some quality time with your family which is indeed amazing. May Goddess Durga shower her choicest blessing upon you and you achieve the zeith's height in all walks of life. Much love my dearie :*
Yes dear I enjoyed a lot. It was a much needed break from work. And yes, the best part was that I could give time to my family.
DeleteThank you so much sweety for the lovely compliments. It's always so good to see you here. God bless you too dear. Keep shining! Hugs :)
The best Presentation of the Festival.. Great Pictures.. Festival Greetings, Purba!
ReplyDeleteBehala club thakur is very artistic but still the traditional decor of Bonedi Bari has its own charm. Looking lovely Purba. Shubho Bijoya.
ReplyDeleteSo true Somali. Both the theme thakur and the sabeki thakur have their individual charms. Thanks a lot. Subho Bijoya :)
DeleteNice post with good pictures Purba, glad to see those words in Bengali :)
ReplyDeleteSpirituality is the only thing that drives us closer to God and family.
So true, Prasanna. Thanks a lot :)
DeleteAll the pictures including yours looks divine and you look so traditional and as usual beautiful writing from you Purba and the pictures speak how well you enjoyed your festive...:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoyed a lot. Thank you so much :)
DeleteYou look stunning Purba!
ReplyDeleteLovely captures of the idols.
I liked the second one the most.
Thank you so much, Indrani :) Subho Bijoya :)
DeleteNo comments.
ReplyDeleteJust am speechless. Mom can be so beautiful when she wants!
So Beautiful photos, Great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rupam :)
DeleteBeautiful coverage of Durga Pooja.
ReplyDeleteGood you enjoyed 4 days of your Durga Puja celebrations (: ... and spent time with family.
ReplyDeleteIndeed :) :)
Deletelooking forward to listening to your talk next week
ReplyDeleteI think you mistook me for Purba Ray :P
DeleteStay blessed Purba. All the pictures are beautiful. Happy to hear that you got time to spend with family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mridula. You too stay blessed always :)
DeleteBeautiful pictures... Thank you for sharing the famous durga puja of Kolkata...
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure. Thanks :)
DeleteBlessed to read this.
ReplyDeleteJai Mata Di. :)
Glad you read it.
DeleteJai Mata Di :)
nice post. u look lovely in sarees :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meera :)
DeleteVery nice and what lovely photos indeed.
ReplyDeleteNice to know how you celebrate this festival season. You look lovely in the pictures, Purba especially in the traditional red and white. :)
ReplyDeleterecently we celebrate Durga Puja. this festival keeps very much importance for our family. Ma Durga bless you all.
ReplyDeleteHello Purva,
ReplyDeleteDivine pictures of Goddess.. you are looking beautiful in the check saree.
May Maa Durga bless you.
Regards,
Neha