This is what I have known this day by since my childhood. It culminates the Durga Puja celebrations. The period, Durga Puja, seems like an era for any bengali - an era of happiness, smiles, fun. It is a year-long wait to assemble, return to the family, gift the loved ones. After the idol of Maa Durga is immersed in the evening, we take the blessings of our elders by touching their feet. Though Rasogolla is the "cult" sweet dish but on this day "jalebi" is served as a ritual. I could hardly reason as long as it is sweet. Then the next day, fish is to be prepared (how could we leave that???).
Being not at home with your near ones is a painful thing. The memories flash in the mind and prick. The excitement during puja at your native/childhood place can never be redeemed by attending puja at some other place. Why is it...the Durga is same everywhere...All Gods are after all same? Perhaps it is not about the Goddess only but us also. The puja is symbolic to integrate family members, friends and the whole social infrastructure. The evocation of the Goddess evokes our own self, the conscience, the good sense and it keeps it powered untill next year.
The demon (Mahisasura) was notorious and had immense power and thought himself to be invincible. We humans are mortals but still we forget it and presume ourselves as the master. Vainity, jealousy, hatred are all demons within us. It needs to be washed with modesty, selflessness, love and sacrifice. If there is a Mahisasura within us then only Durga can annihilate him. Durga is not the idol we pray but the divine reflection in our hearts.
Being not at home with your near ones is a painful thing. The memories flash in the mind and prick. The excitement during puja at your native/childhood place can never be redeemed by attending puja at some other place. Why is it...the Durga is same everywhere...All Gods are after all same? Perhaps it is not about the Goddess only but us also. The puja is symbolic to integrate family members, friends and the whole social infrastructure. The evocation of the Goddess evokes our own self, the conscience, the good sense and it keeps it powered untill next year.
The demon (Mahisasura) was notorious and had immense power and thought himself to be invincible. We humans are mortals but still we forget it and presume ourselves as the master. Vainity, jealousy, hatred are all demons within us. It needs to be washed with modesty, selflessness, love and sacrifice. If there is a Mahisasura within us then only Durga can annihilate him. Durga is not the idol we pray but the divine reflection in our hearts.
