Durga Puja and The Three Roommates
Sitting on the Neelangarai Beach, a less visited beach in Chennai, The Three Roommates were appreciating the beauty of this clean and less populated beach. It was the month of October and the retreating monsoon had just arrived in Tamil Nadu.
Only a month ago, The Three Roommates had arrived in Chennai from different parts of the country as they had received new job offers. Hindi and English were the common languages among them. Since they all belonged to different states, naturally they had different habits and foods choices. There was nothing similar between them except they all were new to Chennai and had newly joined IT MNCs.
It was a lazy Sunday, and after having a long refreshing nap during the daytime, the three of them had decided to visit the beach which was about a 40-minutes walk from where they were staying. Using GPS, they walked towards the beach, crossing highways, slum areas, traffics, long bridges over wide smelly drains, and finally reaching the beach after the Sun had set and was starting to get dark. The path that led to the beach had some beautiful private beach houses on either side of the road with guards and caretakers. When they arrived at the beach, they were greeted with the fresh smell of the Bay of Bengal and the sound of its crashing waves. It seemed to them as if they had just ended a small trip but little did one of them knew that he was going to have an emotional trip of his own.
On reaching the beach, they just sat there to enjoy the view and listen to the silent beach with only the sound of a restless sea.
Darkness had taken over the sky and the sea, with only a distant street light giving some visibility. The Bengali Guy loved to peer into the sky, so he started acknowledging the views a clear night sky can display. He got busy trying to figure out the constellations, stars, planets and hoping for some comets to pass by. He got so immersed in the sky map that he had completely ignored what the other two roommates were discussing. The Telugu Guy nudged him and asked, “Dude, why are you looking up? Are you waiting for something to fall?” The Bengali Guy smiled and reverted, “What are you guys discussing?” They were discussing and complaining about the usual kinds of stuff i.e. their initial struggle to settle in the new city, their work life, and also somewhat exchanging knowledge about their cultures and festivals which they celebrated back home. During this conversation, they had figured out that Dussehra was nearby and the eastern parts of India celebrated it with great pomp and show. So what could be better than asking a Bengali how they celebrated the Puja.
The Bengali Guy suddenly became enthusiastic and started narrating about Maa Durga, Her Family, and the reason for its celebration. The Odia Guy interrupted him and said, “I know all those because if you are aware we also celebrate it with all grandeur.” The Telugu Guy also said, “I can Google this rather you just tell us about your experience and how you guys celebrate it in your hometown.” The Bengali Guy replied, “Then bear with me for some time because this is not only about our celebrations but the happiness to see MAA, the emotions of a father that his Daughter is coming home and the energy of a family, in this case, a whole village, celebrating the homecoming of a Goddess, a Daughter and above all a Mother”.
He started, “Durga Puja is much more than festival for us. It is an emotion that unites everyone. Our Puja celebrations start at least a month before the Puja itself. We start our shopping which literally becomes a competition because everyone wants to present themselves in their best attire during those 5 days of celebrations. Women trying to match everything but are still not satisfied. Saris or Kurtis with matching pieces of jewelry and sandals. Parents buy the latest fashion for their children. It is never a pathetic display of “how much I have” rather the enthusiasm of spending because Puja is coming. People wait for an entire year to spend happily and make phone calls to each other sharing the energy, happiness, and planning their Puja. Some even whitewash and paint their houses because MAA is coming. Though Puja is celebrated for 4 days – Saptami (7th day), Ashtami (8th day), Nabami (9th day), and Dasami or Dussehra (10th day). But in my village, Baudpur, we celebrate it for another day Ekadashi (11th day) or Raavanpudi in which an effigy of Ravana is burnt.
Baudpuriyas, as we fondly call ourselves, are spread all over the country and world. They accumulate their holidays year-round just to exhaust them in those 5 days. Some even come from abroad. Its been a tradition that each house in our village is filled up to its maximum capacity during puja. The house that used to remain locked for the rest of the year is now full with children. Cooks are appointed, menus are prepared for each meal during those 5 days. The preparation of MAA and Her Family’s idols start from Mahalaya (1st day) in which offerings are also provided to our ancestors. The mesmerizing alpona on the floor gives a warm feeling that the 5 days of celebration is about to begin. The “Bhog” is prepared that will be offered to Maa during puja. Adorned with a red Banarasi Sari and jewelry, MAA is ready for all the rituals to be performed.
On Sashthi (6th day), Saptami, Ashtami, and Nabami, amid beating of drums, blowing of conch and chanting of mantras, puja is offered to Her in the morning and then Puspanjali. Prasad thali is offered from every home in the village with lots of sweets mainly homemade and fruits. The Puspanjali is so important that people fast until they have offered it to MAA. The power of the Puspanjali and Slokas combined with the smell of Dhuna gives an energetic feeling that calms every nerve in the body. It is believed that on Sashthi, Maa and Her Family arrive to this mortal world from her heavenly abode. On Saptami, Maa is carried to Her Father’s House. The tradition of Durga Puja is similar to a daughter visiting her father’s place every year after marriage. So Maa visits Her father’s place every year with Her whole Family and father welcomes his Daughter to Her House with great pomp and show. On Ashtami, the loud incantations of Chandipath gives a powerful vibe throughout the body that makes us feel Her presence all around us. The Sandhi puja in Ashtami is celebrated by lighting 108 earthen diyas by those who fast on this day.”
Suddenly The Bengali Guy stopped and asked, “Hope I am not boring you guys.” The other two roommates who were deep in listening said, “Are you serious? You are explaining it very nicely. Please continue.” The Bengali Guy continued, “In the evening, singing and dancing are organised after the Kirtan and Dhup Dance. A list is prepared with the names of the performers. There is no stage and definitely no competition but the vibe is so great that if you have not performed here then it doesn’t matter how great of a performer you are. There are solo performances, group dances, couples singing, children dancing, and a lot more.
Irrespective of the age, everyone participates and make the evening come to life. Some days, the list becomes so long that it has to be forwarded to the next day. The performers take it seriously and practice with great determination and they are cheered with long clapping and occasional shouting of “BAUDPUR” – a remark which is more than any other remark given by today’s reality show. Just kidding!”
As Dasami approaches, the whole village becomes sad because MAA will be leaving and we have to wait for another year. As per the tradition, the Daughter is going to Her In-Laws leaving Her father’s place and Her near and dear ones. How come a father won’t be sorrow and how come a mother won’t have tears when their Daughter bids adieu. On this day, we see MAA’s face through HoludJal (turmeric water) placed on a plate. We write her name on Bel leaves and place it on her feet. Sindur khela is performed in which sindur (traditional vermilion red powder) is applied to everyone. In the mid of the night, MAA along with Her Family is immersed into the river Salandi, which flows nearby. On Ekadasi, a feast is organised by our Shyam Chand temple and post that people eagerly wait near the river fields for RaavanPudi – burning of Raavan’s effigy. This starts just before the Sun is about to set so that people can enjoy the light, fire, and sound of Raavan burning. During this time, the field comes to life with people chatting, shouting, laughing, clicking photos. There are lots of food stalls selling foods like chat, gupchup, chow mien, ice cream, and others. When the show comes to an end and slowly everyone starts to leave for their homes, we all leave with mixed feelings of happiness and sadness as we have to wait for another year. The most awaited festival for the Bengalis comes to an end. And next day, the village that became lively for last 5 days is now watching the members of the houses leave for their jobs or study institutions eagerly waiting for another year.”
It was almost late at night when the moon was shining brightly with its white reflection on the sea. After The Bengali Guy completed narrating his experience, The Odia Guy said, “Bro! Am sure you will be missing home during this year’s puja.” The Bengali Guy smiled and said, “Today is Saptami, MAA has already arrived.” The Three Roommates sat for some more time on the beach absorbing the feelings shared. The distant Street light started to flicker. Realising its already late and since it was a less populated beach, they hurriedly stood up and started to leave. Funny how the same silence which is peaceful during the evening becomes fearful as the night grows.
Just before leaving the beach, The Bengali Guy turned around towards the sea, to acknowledge the time spent and also to acknowledge the beauty of the beach as the Moon in the dark sky was directly reflecting its silver rays on the sea. He somehow felt that the moon was unnaturally full and shining brightly because Poornima or the full moon was a week later. While staring at the moon, he said “I am sorry MAA, I am not coming home in this year’s puja.” Suddenly he felt a slight chill in his body running goosebumps throughout as he felt like seeing a glimpse of MAA’s face on the moon directly looking at him, like he was looking at Maa’s face through the holudjal plate. His eyes became watery as the monsoon sea breeze blew past him. With a faint smile on his lips, he murmured to himself, “Ashirvad Debe, MAA! (Keep your blessings upon me, Maa!)”
!~^*^~!
More for you…
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Nice one.
Only one main point you forgot to add, Baudpur is in Odisha! (Could’ve been a good twist at the end of the story) 😆
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