Clouds are floating
above the head,
Flowers being scented
in the airbed…

Seems The Autumn is coming and when we do think about this season first thing which came upon in our mind is “aswiner sharodo praate beje utheche alokomonjir”

The alarm clock struck at 04:00 am. We do wake up, the dead silence outside as the world around in sound asleep. We Bengalis wake up to…

‘Jago, Tumi Jago”,

Finally, it is “Mahalaya”. From this special day only “Durga Pujo” does start. Chokkhu Daan’ is the ritual of inviting Goddess Durga to earth by drawing her eyes on the idol on Mahalaya.

Durga Puja, The occasion is associated with different practices and rituals not only in Bengal but in everywhere. For the bong people, Durga Pujo is an emotion combined with nostalgia. Dhaak, Kash fool(Kans grass), Shiuli fool(Night-flowering jasmine) smell creates the most mesmerizing surroundings.

The captivating Durga Puja do celebrate in Bengal on Sasthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami. These are the most favorable days for all. People do hop in pandals can surely find out in a new dress, different foods. Visiting idol with pictures, post, gossip, funfair, adda, each and everyone from kid to old people all became happy and do start enjoying in this time. Chokhu daan, Kolabou Snan(young banana tree assumed as a wife of Lord Ganesha draped in a white saree with red border put into water for bath), kumortuli clicks, dhaak-er awaj(sound), ashtami anjali, dhunuchi-nach(dance), pujor bhog(prasad), sindoor khela(vermillion game) and finally the ‘Bijoya Dashami’, this magical journey with the following days do create an enchanting atmosphere filled up with pujo pujo(smell) something which is irreplaceable.

And then the time will come when Maa Durga along with her four kids is getting ready to bid adieu for a year. Vijaya Dashami the last day of the Durga Puja festival.

Such an amazing occasion we do celebrate every year, we literally do wait for the arrival of Durga maa throughout the time frame. In this year of 2020 pandemic condition, we don’t know what will gonna happen but one thing always be within our heart is the love, respect, enjoyment, happiness, and attraction towards Durga Ma. Do bless us and recover this situation as soon as possible so that we can be normal and live life and celebrate this occasion happily like always by saying with everyone “Bolo Dugga Maiki Joy……. “