One of my first memories of durga puja is that of a little toy pistol that my grandfather had bought me.Ask any boy aged 4-8 and he will know that you are talking of the cap pistols.And of course there were the new clothes,the festivities,eating out,spending night after night cramped up in dad's grand old amby visiting one pujo after another.Even more than the stipulated 4 days of festivities,the build-up to the pujos was what i enjoyed the most.Unfortunately,now-a-days being in calcutta during the build-up is quite the impossible.
Durga pujo has always fascinated me like no enigma has.From the early days of the Dalan Barir pujo to the gaudy baroari pujo to the neo-award-winning-theme -pujo....the goddess has seem quite an upheaval...(i wonder what she had to say about this sae of change??!)But thats not the reason why we are here....
Every year....the city of joy comes alive with excitement at the advent of the pujos.From the quintessential bangali babu to haran the rickshaw puller....its all the same.All you have to do is simply stand at any street corner...and you will be overwhelmed with the sea of humanity running through the streets of the great city.Its a time where everyone is equal...everybody rich or poor,young and old...want to be a part of this ageless spirit of freedom and joy....thats what is special about durga puja.Its a time for indulgence a time for frivolous whims....and no one says no.....
Durga pujo is a celebration of who we are and what we do......
Its a celebration of life...of victory of good over evil......
Its a coming together of humanity....of love...and compassion...
Its an identity of every bengali....
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