Maa Aschen! Kolkata Gears Up For Durga Puja, 2015

With Mahalaya (Mahalaya Amavasya) marking the end of the Pitru Paksha yesterday, 12^th October, 2015 and the beginning of Devi Paksha from today, I could not have found a more auspicious day to post this. The Pitru Paksha (Pitri Paksha), as we know is a period when Hindus observe Shraadh/Tarpan (paying homage by making offerings of food) for the souls of their departed ancestors.

The beginning of Devi Paksha (Debi Pokho) marks the decent of Goddess Durga; when she embarks on her journey to earth. Well, Maa Aschen (Mother, Maa Durga is on her way). Here are a few pictures to support both the statement and the heady rush of excitement the words evoke. The City of Joy is abuzz. No Pujo like Durga Pujo and no better place to experience it that in Kolkata.

 

“I can’t keep calm because I’m a Bengali and Puja is coming,” they say. I beg to differ. You needn’t be Bengali for Durga Puja to be your most favourite festival in the whole wide world. You simply need to belong or have belonged to Bengal. On that note, I’m a true-blue Calcuttan, part-Bengali at heart and no one I say no one, can ever take that away from me. You can take me out of Kolkata but never take Kolkata out of my heart *goosebumps*

Enough of me, I’ll let the pictures do the talking!

This idol in the making, I found about a week back in Garcha Lane:

The College Square Puja pandal as viewed from the terrace of the University of Calcutta:

It’s the hard work and sincerity of such people that take shape as these marvelous structures. Don’t miss the two men atop this Hazra Road pandal:

This one coming up at Singhi Park. The sheer number of people that visit are enough to validate its popularity!

The one at Golfgreen Park. Just where you see the Taxi taking a turn, is a lane that had more bamboo work done – probably a setup for the lights.

The one at Mullick Bazar, weeks back. My first pandal-click this year!

Prettying up! Blue lights flank the Gariahat Flyover:

I cannot wait to see these (and more) Puja Pandals when the idols have been placed and Maa’s radiant face beams back at us; our Mother in absolute splendour.

মা আসছেন| Bolo Durga Maa Ki Jai!