Looking for a date? Pujas are here.

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Durga Puja is here.

This is that time of the year about which you would not understand anything important unless you are here in Bengal observing the people. Yes, there is Durga Ma's arrival and strict vegetarian code in the kitchens all over but what is more is how the atmosphere of the place changes, the joyful vibe as life looks on at something new that brews up in those 9 days of merry making and mingling. Having said this for Pujos, I think it is probably true for all the other festivals that are celebrated around the world.

You will probably agree with me when I say that no one is supposed to be alone on or for a festival. So the primary role of a festival is that of a social activity. Seeing how Durga Puja is celebrated in Kolkata for the past five years I have realised that a subtle purpose behind this particular festival was to treat it as a good time to find a date, a partner or if you are a die-hard romantic, love.

Let me give you an idea about how Durga Puja plays out here. I have noticed that this 9 day festival has lesser religious significance in Bengali homes than would be associated with it in a literal manner. The days are marked with dressing up or dolling up, as some would rather prefer. People free themselves in advance for the socialising that Durga Puja demands. There are people- colleagues from work, general acquaintances, friends and relatives to be visited upon. It a huge meet and greet time and an opportune time to be introduced to some new people. So the communal eating becomes important as well as handy. (They keep those antacids close)

The Puja days also offer a platform to showcase your artistic skills in and beyond the 'paadaa' as is the neighbourhood called. anyone can come and go as they please. So if you have your eyes on someone you get a chance to see them beyond just their physical persona.

Then there is 'Pandal' hopping. Every paadaa has a pandal where a small stage is set up for the statue of the Devi who is visiting her maternal home with her kids. People go from one to the other (hopping) pandal to see the statue and the decorations. Another opportune time and place to meet and greet or literally jostle with strangers.

In the five years that I have been here I have never read/ seen a report of someone being harassed at any of these events whether at the markets or at the pandals where scores of people are rubbing shoulders.

So it is that time of the year again where people come together and enjoy each other's company and they have all the societal and godly sanctions too. Does anything else make life feel this good?

Comments

Unknown said…
Nice one Anandika..... so apt it more abt fun /dating/ and hoping around.....same the case with Ganesh festival and navratri festivities too.
10:05 PM
amu said…
Thank you. Yes I am pretty sure the festivals had this-getting together as an underlying purpose.
10:07 AM
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