Every bengali, wherever they may be in this world waits eagerly for these few days - Durgapuja. Like every year, I couldn't leave my hometown Midnapur during Puja. Don't know why, but these Puja days I don't want to miss my home, my hometown.
First day, I visited two Pandals Bidhan Nagar and Rangamati with My better half Khushi and my sweet Brother and sister (actually -in law :-) Bidhan Nagar was as usual fantastic! but I liked Rangamati Idol for its responsible intention of expressing the pain of so many people suffering from draught. We met with some friends, enjoyed a lot ... oh am I missing Chicken pakoda?
Next day (Sasthi) I went with my parents, started with Rabindra Nagar, then Khudiram Nagar, then ...hmmm I lost track...you can find these from Photos above. I was feeling like crowding was usually less than other years, as it was obvious due to recent incidents of Lalgarh. Anyway my mom declared that kitchen will remain closed at night for Puja Days, so we did our dinner from Royal Tandoori Centre, Fried rice, kashmiri Aloo Dum, Chicken butter Masala. It was awesome.
I offered Anjali on Astami with Khushi and her family. Khushi was wearing Saree (which she don't like much) and was looking awesome!
Navami was very romantic, as Khushi and me - only two of us visited rest of the Pandals! Starting from Saratpalli, then Asoknagar, police line, Sepoy Bazar, Rabindra Nagar (again as khushi hadn't visited earlier) then ... ending with Ramakrishna Mission...though we couldn't meet Durga Ma there as doors were already closed due to some rituals.
Worth mentioning Golkuachawk Puja - though it was small, but like every year it maintained its uniqueness, this year their theme was Rural Forms of Devi Durga and their aim was to make youth aware of many unknown ancient culture of our country. I requested them to write an article on their puja and expecting to receive it very soon.
Oh yes...we tasted panipuri (it was Khushi's idea, as I haven't tasted Panipuri for last 6-7 years I think) but the funny thing is we tried panipuri from every stall around.
Dasami was also good, visiting relatives and receiving their blessing.
But now Puja is over and everybody is back to their regular life, but deep down in our heart count down has begun...for what? For the next year!!! Asche bachar Abar Habe!!! Bolo Duga mai ki JAY!!!
