Image1: Eternal beauty
Image2: Bhog
Image 3: The entire family
Image4: AartiImage Copyright: Tanya Munshi
Text by: Tanya Munshi
Every year the month of October is the most sought after one for most Bengalis. It's a time to welcome home the daughter Durga along with her children - Saraswathy, Laxmi, Ganesh and Kartik to Earth, while the head of the family - Shiva looks over them as they make their journey to Earth and back.
New clothes, spending time with family and friends, relishing all the goodies and pandal hopping are just the tip of the ice-berg during this four day Durga Puja festival. Durga Puja is a festival where Durga comes home to bless everyone. The happiness and excitement experienced by everyone is similar to that, when a daughter comes home to visit her parents after marriage.
In today's context, Durga appears as a multi-tasking goddess who nurtures, protects and blesses her loved one. Maybe a gentle reminder that this is exactly what all mothers do for their children.
This festival has something infectious about it - it attracts and compells you to enjoy and be a part of the festivities even if you're not a Bengali. The word 'Sarbojanin' means exactly that - for all.
1 comment:
Hi Tanya. I am looking for Vizag-based travel writers for an inflight mag. Do get in touch and I'll send you specs and guidelines. Thanks, Sangeetha
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