Dhol, dhunuchi naach with the holy smoke and dhakis are the heartbeat of any Durga Puja. Drumming up the true spirit of sharadiya, Durga’s benevolent motherly gaze was the cynosure of the faithful who stood transfixed staring at the devi protima moist-eyed on Mahashtami.
Though across the globe, the universal Mother is worshiped as the epitome of shakti, the Bengalis uniquely place her in their hearts as a member of their family. They welcome the Goddess as their daughter who comes on an annual visit to her parents’ place for a five-day long visit with her children Ganesha, Karthik, Saraswati and lakshmi.
In Delhi’s mini Bengal, the swish of garad and crisp cotton kurtas were all too familiar at the sarbojanin (community) pujos. “We anxiously await this time of the year. We dress to the nines in our traditional finery. It is a happy occasion for every family, and we tend forget all sorrows and pains and enjoy the festival in its true sense. It is also the time when all the family members and friends get together for good old-fashioned adda to enliven the moments,” said 55-year-old Shakuntala Banerjee, a resident of Pocket 40, CR Park.
As the festive fervour reached a crescendo, the pandals in CR Park standing cheek-by-jowl were packed like sardines. And it wasn’t just the mangsher singara that was attracting revellers to it like moths to a flame. A slice of Bengal was also seen in New Delhi’s Kalibari, one of the oldest Durga Pujas in the city. Tradition fused with modernity as women were seen rocking palazzos. “I came with friends to witness the grand celebration. We will also come for the evening dhunuchi naach. I love its heady beat,” said Shayali Kumari, a college student.
For street food vendors, Durga Puja is a consuming passion. Mochar chop, aloo chop, dhokar dalna, kasundi paturi, ilish maach were served up to tickle the tastebuds. Ask any shopkeeper and he’ll tell you how Bengalis scrimp and save to splurge on these five days.