Durga Puja: An Emotional Experience

By Aranya Bhattacharyya

Every year around the months of September and October, West Bengal gears up for one of

the largest celebrations across the world and of the year, Durga Puja. Durga Puja is not only

about the celebrations and decorations, it is also about the raw emotions that surround this

festival. These emotions transcend all barriers, regardless of age, gender, caste, creed, and

religion. So, what is so emotional about Durga Puja? Read on to find out.

The emotions begin right after the monsoon season ends. The skies are clearer, the dust has

been washed away and everything is much cleaner and lighter. The humidity finally drops

and the weather becomes much cooler. The days are marked with clear blue skies, and the

sun’s rays are gentler and less harsh on the environment. This allows us to sit in the sunlight

without the risk of catching a heatstroke or dehydration. This is the first clear (Pun intended)

sign that Durga Puja is upon us. In Bengali, this is also known as ‘Maa Asche’.

All across the state of West Bengal, Cities such as Durgapur and Kolkata are gearing up for

the construction of the magnificent Pandals with Bamboo sticks. All of the Pandals are under

the jurisdiction of various committees that are responsible for the funding, and planning of

the pandals and the events over the course of five days which includes the various cultural

events such as theatre, dance, and band performances along with a wide buffet of food and

beverages.

Students across the state are also gearing up for their half-yearly examinations in schools and

universities so that they do not have to deal with the burden or with the regret of not clearing

the subjects or for poor performance in the examinations. For Students, Durga Puja is a time

of absolute freedom. One mustn’t study for the entire period of five days of the celebrations

as it is considered a form of taboo and an act of defying Mother Durga. Durga Puja allows

children and young adults to stay out late and roam around with their friends and loved ones.

For Couples who have recently started their journey, Durga Puja is a great time of building

this experience. From unrestricted hours of roaming around the city to grabbing a bite at a

restaurant or Café or even watching a movie together. Durga Puja is also the perfect time for

parents of both parties to meet and get to know each other, further cementing the relationship.

The days of the festival, from Panchami to Dashami or Dashera are filled with laughter and

joy. The festival provides the opportunity of amending previously broken bonds and forge a

new ones. There is laughter and dance with the famous Dhunuchi or earthen pot where

shavings of coconut shells are ignited and people dance in front of the idol as a sign of

solitude and hospitality.

All of this laughter and joy however comes to an end on Dashami or Dashera in other states

when it is time for Mother Durga to return to her heavenly abode. She is fed a delicious meal

by the women of the household before being paraded so that everyone can say their goodbyes

before being transported off to the Ghats or the river banks where the idol is immersed. This

marks the end of the festival of Durga Puja and we have to wait for another year or in other

words “Asche bochor abar hobe”.

Thank you

By Aranya Bhattacharyya