Down From Heaven!!

As the whole family travels deep down, they all linger in a flickering enthusiasm and ecstasy. The coolie who carried their luggage was surrendering himself from the strenuous job he was appointed to.

Ma Durga with her ever smiling face looked at her daughter Saraswati (Sara) as Sara spoke out-- Look Maa!! They really have done a stupendous job to welcome us! Staying for only 5 days makes it too meek for this brilliant celebration, Maa!! Can't we stay a bit longer?!

Durga smiled and gave her daughter a sharp reply-- Your hubby must be waiting for you, my girl! Don't you forget that!!    Sara sighed!!



Lakshmi, very aware of her mother's nature, shunned away from expressing her similar kind of longings. She hastily went near her brother Ganesh and patted on his back.


Hey dude! What's making you so thoughtful?!

Ganesh, jerking from his thoughts, looked back at Lakshmi.


Nothing much! Was just thinking its only me who doesn't miss his spouse! Why do you all come without your spouses?! That must be hurting, naah Kartik?!

Kartik, their beloved brother, looked at Ganesh and Lakshmi,gave them a smile and turned back again.


Ho!! Someone's being way too romantic, buddy!!   


Was Lakshmi's immediate reply to Ganesh with a sudden thud on his back again. The whole family laughed out loud to show their utter excitement about the trip!!




A short distance away from them, sat their mother smiling at her children's gossip!! After all She too, was travelling without Shiva by Her side.
                                           

Down here all the local kakus (uncles) and kakimas (aunties) were busy arranging the puja thaalis and all other necessities. The para (Locality) was beaming with ardent enthusiasm and excitement for the welcome ceremony of Maa Durga and her family! It was the Bengali's festive season. Even the little children had the knowledge of how Maa Durga killed and abolished the demon Mahishashura. How She became the symbol of Strength, Courage and Love was not obscure to anyone down here.

The para chhokraas waited so long for this evening to arrive when they could stand and look at girls in pretty attires and whistle at them. Durga Pujo for them is yet another occasion to have a look at the beautiful girls who pass by!!

The Dhaakis prepare themselves with their dhaaks to play and give the city the ever-lasting essence of Durga Pujo! The para Kaku commands the dhaaki to enchant their beats. The dhaakis start their melodious wonder as all the kakus and kakimas get up and join them and they have a beautiful time all together!







The Purohit gets elated with the thought of his bank balance nearly tripling this season! The more number of Pandals he visits and enchants the prayers and the shlokas, the more he is respected and the more he earns! He therefore prompts himself to be fit and healthy for the upcoming strenuous days!!



The students plan about the marvelous outings on those 5 days when their parents would say them not a single word, the lovers willing abide for the pujo to commence and hence they could go Pandal hopping hand in hand, the family gets out even in the hottest day to shop for their upcoming festival!!



The people start arranging their famous Dhunuchi Naach stuffs! What A lovely time they spend dancing all around! :)
















And as the day approaches, all the para members get on the truck and there they go to bring their Maa Durga and Her Family , home after yet another year!





Maa Durga and her 4 children prepare to land down from their private jet. Suddenly Ganesh points out- Hey you all! Look down!

And as they all look down, they see, thousands of their devotees on their way to receive them and all of them chanting --


                     Joy Durga Mai Ki Joyy!!!!


                               
                     






Durgaa Pujor onek onek Preeti o Subeccha! :) Happy Durga Puja To All!! :)

Happy Birthday Gopi! :)

From the very young age of crawling and rendering own beautiful image and crossing thousands of hearts, here comes the Gopi, Lord Gopala with that very known and mesmerizing hidden smile when he crawled and stole the "makkhan"! How can this mischievous little kid shun away from my little blog on his birthday?! Happy Birthday Krishna! :)

Every mother yens for such a beautiful, bright child! May God bless each one out there and be as dear as He always is! Right from this little, naughty kid to a grown up handsome young man, with His love Radha always beside Him. He will always be the zenith of love and warmth in our hearts till we breathe our last!


Hey, darling Krishna, come over here and receive the "Makkhan Mishri" and "Khir" that people all over the world are busy serving you! :)

Subh Janmashtami! :)

Happy Ratha-Yatra

Today is a very special day in West Bengal. Today is "Ratha-Yatra".

It is a very well known festival in our state. Lord Jagannath, along with his brother Balaram and sister Shubhadra, is transported (yatra) by a chariot (ratha) in this festival. It is actually the most important festival of Puri, in the state of Orissa. Crores and crores of people and devotees are present here on the day of Ratha-Yatra.

Out of habit, on each day of any festival, the thing I do is google out the history of the festival and origin of the God! Today was no exception. I made out some time from my daily schedule and googled all about the origin of Lord Jagannath and this festival. I love to know all the stories behind these massive occasions!
To know about the origin of Lord Jagannath click here : http://www.shreekhetra.com/jagaorigin.html

As a ritual, in Kolkata, all the children drag their own little chariots with Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Shubhadra sitting inside them. How mesmerizing the scenic beauty is! Here is a picture of the same.

As a child, I too, have dragged my little chariot every year along with my friends. It was such an overwhelming experience and sweet memories that one can hardly forget in a whole lifetime.
So, as I have grown up and can't really go out and drag a chariot with the children, I still can see them and enjoy the day. And what can be more joyous to me than writing about Lord Jagannath and His festival??



Last, but not the least, a picture drawn by my sister:

  Wishing you all very very happy days ahead and may you get all that you deserve and may you achieve loads of happiness and success and joy :)