I look at her and there is an instant connection. She understands my pain, my worries and my misgivings in this life. I can smell her arrival in the morning breeze way down into the labyrinthine coconut groves of Kerala. As I sat in my balcony today in the morning , I could hear the chants of the temple priest back home, cajoling her, invoking her and finally inviting her to visit us on these nine days.The scent of the homa in its ethereal form wafts in through my window and the yearning is even more.
Durga as a diety, or a dietified female form is close to my heart. I have grown up seeing her glimpses in the women around me in the world, be it late Mrs Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mary Kom, Malala Yousafzai, Sushma Swaraj, Kiran Bedi, Shirin Ebadi, Mata Amritanandamayi or even Mayawati, Phoolan Devi, Benazir Bhutto,Jayalalithaa, Lady Gaga, Priyanka Chopra and Mamta Banerjee all in some way or the other have touched me and these are to name a few! Naysayers, please! This is a personal list. These women were certainly born with an iron will! They persisted, persevered and never fretted… never played the gender card and relentlessly marched on. Be it love, hate, compassion, sports, art or even stiff political games, they delivered beyond expectations.
Durga, when she stands in her pagan form, all beautiful and radiant, draped in a resplendent Banarasi Saree, I want her charisma to rub off on me… a wee bit will do. That which would make me stronger, braver, resilient and resolute. The dhaak sounds beat a tempo of positivity and the different rituals like the dhunuchi dance, placing durva grass in their text books by diligent and god fearing students 😁( Durva or doob is a special kind of holy grass grown at the pedestal of the goddess), Sindurkhela( married women playfully sharing the colours of the holy vermillion to mark their married sisterhood) and the auspicious and sacred bhog ( the offering of food to the diety, to be later shared by all) in all forms be it the partaking of the khichdi (gruel) or the sweet delicacies, all mark her oneness with us.
It’s exciting to look for her in every new city I decide to dwell in, especially around this time when her name bring thoughts from home.
Heartfelt 
U should b spending pooja at Purnea….
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Candid words😊 to sum up the blog, is it? thank you for reading and responding!
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I absolutely agree with you Sush. Staying in Calcutta for 4 years made me come closer to Her. The strength she personifies clearly distinguishes her from other formidable characters. However, I feel we are still a long way in accepting the Durgas around us.
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True, both your feelings and observation💕 Thank you Navleen.
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During my whole childhood Navratra meant “Lakkha” ji’s songs waking me up as the Pandal was set up a couple of minutes away (they do it even now, but ‘wo wala charm hi alag tha’),eagerly waiting for Saptmi when the idols were unveiled and visiting Pandal after Pandal…This one stirred up a lot of memories.
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It stirs up lot of memories here too… Thank you for reading and relating to it
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The best way described about the presence of Maa Durga in our life. Really Maa Durga is most empowering word in the life of all of us.
Happy Durga Puja…..
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Yes, for you a ‘karmatth’ woman like you, there can be no other diety! Thank you Sudipta for sharing your true feelings .
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You expressed so well. Felt it within. I love the craziness SHE brings in all of us during these 9 days. We truly forget all our worries and just enjoy and take in the energy until next puja.
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Thank you! You just used the right word ‘craziness’! Love this craziness during Puja 😀
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Love how how she captivates senses and manages to keep her devotees awed by her persona not just on those specific nine days but ever and forever ..🙏🏽
this one just on right time made me nostalgic to core stirring up all memories from yesteryears .. long school/ uni vacations.. we all decked up for those family friends gatherings /outings , good mood ,good food , late night films ..music and endless fun .. thanks ekdum dil se for rekindling our dormant emotions ..❤️
kahan gaye wo din..
The shakti In me bows down to the shakti In you.. Jai Mata Di bondhoo🙏🏽
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Absolutely, you nailed it! Durga Puja keeps the nostalgia so high that going back to it every time fills us with more longing for the next time! That’s Her charisma!
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👍I became very nostalgic after reading your blog . It is beautifully written. Goddess Durga is the invincible Shakti . I love her too and pray to her every day . Only by taking her name we feel so strong and positive. Thanks dear for sharing with us your blog on the day of Mahalya the start of DURGA Puja . 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you Nita. Our words resonated with the same feelings! 💕
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Nicely written…One suggestion ..You can include my name also in the list of glimpses of women…
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Sugatha di! It sure was a slip… You have, without any doubt shaped my thoughts 🙏💕
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Reminds me of the strong women in my family. I’m thankful for them.
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Thank you for reading and relating to it
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Nice writing Sushmita
There is nice blending.
Women and power.
In bengali I say “aami naari sob paari”. You ladies can only change the world.
We all should respect it.
Women shouldn’t misuse it.
Coming to Durga puja. You have portrayed in a beautiful way citing all the aspect.
Focus was Eastern Region.
Fantastic
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Thank you for liking it! Such insightful words, thanks once again
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MeToo. But let the celebrations reflect devotion, not show-off spending. Do those who cannot afford lavishness love less? pl read my blog Let Us Pray For The Nation.
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Right you are on all accounts sir. Going to read your blog…
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Durga to me signifies the power of women. I too love her. My post ‘Durga’ last year after the Pujas. Hope you like.
https://travelwisesr.com/durga/
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Thank you for a ditto! Read your blog! Quite an indepth introduction to Ma Durga and Puja!
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Thanks Sushmita !
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I was back in memory lane.. What fun we had as kids attending the morning and evening prayers in the pandal. Getting dressed for the Pooja and meeting friends and eating prasad. I still long to have the khichdi .
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👍😊😊
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