The Grandeur of Shivratri

The Red visible here is the temple from our house

The moment I reach home, i.e., our ancestral house in Burdwan Ma insists that we visit the Shiv Mandir first. This time it was no exception. I and my three- year old paid our regards to the deity and walked home. This was the conversation that happened between us:

Boy: Ma, the Shib here is not like the Shib in Rourkela .It is alaada (different).

Me: Accha, how is that so?

Boy: I have seen photos in the temple there.

Me: Ok

Boy: And then there is also Shib in Bal Ganesh. (Bal Ganesh is an animated version of the story about Lord Ganesh)

I am still thinking of the differences he is trying to point out and then he says

Boy: Burdwan er Shib has no snake, no face. It is not a lok (man). Why do you call it Shib nono? It is only stone. 

Very interesting isn’t it! The three- year old finds the Shiva Linga an oddity! And how do you explain a Shiva Linga to a toddler! I am clueless. Maybe my readers can come up with a way to explain it to him. Thankfully he mumbled to himself and did not press me for further answers. Thank God!

The deity back home. The silver trishul and the snake were stolen

Painted and decorated

Shivratri is a grand affair at my house in Burdwan. The temple overlooks a huge pond and has a proper bathing ghat attached to it. I think it dates back to the early 1900’s. It was initially a dilapidated structure, never maintained by anyone. No one painted the temple and seva of the deity was subjected to the whims and fancies of the worshippers. If someone had a ‘manshik’ they offered Pujo or else the deity went without his daily diet! Infested with rats, cockroaches and lizards the temple was in a sorrow state. Though there was a rightful owner, he never bothered to look into the affairs of the temple.  Later we found out that he was too old, senile and poor to be looking into it. And it’s also strange and sad that after my parents took over the care of the temple the poor man died in a fire.

Getting the Bhog ready

It was in 2000 that Baba decided to shift to Burdwan after taking voluntary retirement from work. Thamma (my paternal grandmother) was not getting younger and needed us to take care of her. It was during this shifting that Baba had a bad fall from the ladder. He could have been badly hurt but he escaped with a fractured elbow. The doctors considered it to be a complicated surgery. The surgery happened a week before Shivratri. Ma promised the Lord that she would take upon herself the seva of the Lord if the surgery was successful. The Lord granted her wish and thus began our tryst with the Lord. 

The mukut

But it was not an easy task. Restoring the lost glory of the temple was a task in itself. The main hurdles were the need for manpower and money. It proved to be too expensive a task for a retired man.  We sisters and some of our relatives pooled in money to form a small fund for the temple. A young man from a village nearby offered to put in his labor. Within a few days the temple was painted, scrubbed clean, a priest appointed on the basis of a monthly salary, regular Pujo offerings by Ma and a special ‘somvaar’ Pujo. 

The temple thrived attracting people from all around the city; devotees started thronging the Mandir premises. The word spread around that ‘whoever prays here have their wishes granted’. People contributed to the regular Pujo willingly and since then we no longer need to bother ourselves about the daily offerings to the Lord.

Our 85-year old Purohit Rashbehari dadu

As Shivratri draws closer, I keep going back to my days in Burdwan. The days preceding Shivratri are too busy.  I think after Durga Puja it’s the second time that we have a ‘shaaj shaaj rob’ in the family. Painting the temple, ordering garlands and flowers, drawing alpona, buying ingredients for the Bhog, making food packets, informing all about the exact time for the commencement of the Pujo and not to miss the discussions about what to wear for the Pujo are some the various activities we indulge in.

Our new 14 year- old Purohit

Decorating the temple is a task which I have always enjoyed. Baba usually orders a variety of flowers from the florist in our locality. The first year Ma had designed a beautiful ‘mukut’ (headdress) for the Lord. The next year they did not have to order as the florist decided to offer it voluntarily. The ‘mukut’ has become a tradition since the last thirteen years. Scores of tuni bulbs adorn the temple from every angle and a huge halogen light is also strung to show the way to the devotees. Ma cooks the Bhog at home which is taken to the temple in huge copper plates, offered to the Lord and then distributed amongst all. 

These days the Pujo has grown in dimension with many people joining in. It has become more of a para event with the neighbors bearing the cost of fruits and sweets, some joining in the Bhog making and some helping in distribution as well. 

It’s interesting to note that the initial hostility and resentment that greeted us when we shifted to Burdwan is now replaced with lot of love, warmth and cooperation from the same people. People who tried to make our life hell by defecating in front of our entrance, robbing the temple of the silver snake and trishul, teasing us have now pledged to stand by us and help us in all our endeavors. 

Ponjika for March

BANGALIR BHALENTINE DAY

My Saraswati at home. We spent an entire evening looking for the perfect idol for my son. Isn't she beautiful?

This year on the Saraswati Pujo morning, I get a message from my childhood hero wishing me a very happy ‘bhalentine day’.  Valentines Day indeed for the Bengalis! Couples hand-in-hand at every corner, young men in white Punjabi/Pajama, women in bright yellow saris - yes love and festivity is in the air!

A nostalgic day for me. It always takes me back to my childhood days spent in Durgapur. 

An old scanned picture of our Vivekananda Road house. Baba at work.

Fuley fuley dholey dholey: Our bungalow in Vivekananda Road and Andrews Place had a beautiful garden. I remember the layout was more of a square in Vivekananda Road and triangular in Andrews Place. Come winter and it would be full of flowers like Dahlia, Chrysanthemum, Marigold and Roses. Baba and Anil da (our ‘ek paye’, ‘khona’/one –legged and with a broken voice) gardener would toil hard throughput the year to ensure that ours looked the best. Well, my parents have always won the gardening contest organized by DSP, SAIL. We never had to buy flowers for Saraswati Pujo, our garden had every variety for the deity.

Pink and Bronze colored??

Ful churi: No I don’t mean the morning walkers! But the nocturnal visitors mostly kids, teenagers and miscreants. Saraswati Pujo would be all about guarding those flowers the night before.The most exciting night for us. No bed timings for that particular night as we took turns in staying awake and helping Baba keep a watch over our precious flowers. Catching a ful chor (flower thief) was deemed highly heroic. And we tried our best to catch one as it would inevitably mean catching the eye of the ‘para’ Romeo/Juliet as well. To stay awake the whole night meant lot of liberties. Ma would keep a flask of tea or coffee for us and we could also rent videos to watch the whole night.

Some more colors of the deity

Code Yellow: That’s the color of the deity. White is also another option. A week before the Pujo we would rummage through Ma’s wardrobe looking for the perfect yellow sari and there would inevitably be a tug of war. Well I have two more sisters, far prettier and glamorous! So whatever Didi picked up was considered the best by the two of us and hence the object of envy! Yellow with a green/red/golden border would be the typical Saraswati Pujo sari.

Pujor jogaar: Pujo at our house would always commence at 7am sharp which meant we had to be up very early and compete for the use of the toilet. Shivering in the wee hours of the morning we would take a bath and then wait for Didi to help us with our saris. Our skills lay in making the Marigold garlands for the deity while Didi helped Ma with the alpana and the noibiddo (fruit offering).

See how she looks in Orissa. The features are so different!

The forbidden fruit: The very word noibiddo reminds me of Kul. Aahhh! The best part about Saraswati Pujo.  Two weeks before the Pujo there would be kul around but we couldn’t have even a single one! Ma’s warnings rang clear and loud in our heads ‘Kul has to be offered to the Goddess first. If we don’t then we commit a sin. The Goddess gets angry and ensures that we live a life without bidda’. Well, this logic of Ma still works for us. I give the same rationale to my son (who thinks a life without bidda is much better) and I make it a point to have kul only after offering it to the goddess. 

Pujo at Kidzee, Kolkata

Boi pujo: Along with the deity, books are also worshipped this day. This meant a day without books, hence no studies- the best gift that Ma Saraswati can give us. 

Finally the ‘Bhalentine’ day: Such a coincidence that this year Saraswati Pujo was on February 15, a day after the Angrezi Valentines day. Dressed in our fineries, this is one day where the para girls and boys have free access to each other. Every household organizes a Saraswati Pujo and anyone can drop in for the Pujo/Bhog which meant no one’s entry is questioned by the elders. 

Bhuribhog: After the Pujo its then time to gather at someone’s place for some Khichudi, Labra and chutney. 

Rangoli by the students of KPC Medical College

By evening our spirits would hit an all-time low as this is one particular day in the calendar which allows unrestricted freedom, fun and enjoyment to the youth.This Pujo stands for the youth, by the youth and of the youth. Hence the only one which places undue emphasis on them.

Ponjika for February

Januaryr notun asha...notun shopno

Wishing all a very happy new year...a very happy 2013!

With the year ending on a sad note, I can only dream and pray of a much safer and secure world for us!

Nirbhaya left us badly scarred and traumatized. Today I still find rapes, molestations and other horrid forms of abuse meted out to women.

I keep on asking why.....why..oh why???

While many r fuming and launching a public tirade against politicians, legal system and some God man....I keep on questioning why..!

I have no answer....

And I have nothing to write here....I can only wish all a better tomorrow.

December e Maha Anondo

December is finally here...waiting for the cold to strike us any day..any time..!

Its finally time to take out the lep/kombol lying in the trunk....shake off the musty smell in them...put them in the sun and wrap one around you....well that's what I do first thing in the morning. Wrap one around me while I sit and sip chai in the living room at 5am waiting for the neighborhood to wake up.

And yes take out all those sweaters, hoodies, lovely stoles, head scarves...wear one each day...show it off to all around..

Time to sip endless cups of tea/coffee...well the only excuse being 'its too cold...I need the caffeine'.

Time to take out the Christmas tree, the tuni lamps, stars and the huge Santa from the closet and prepare for a nice party for the kids

Wait and watch the Chrysanthumums/Calendula/Roses/Dalia bloom..

Keep a tab on all the fairs in the town, visit them, go on a shopping spree and then look for a place to hoard them...

There's so much to do in December - the weather is favourable. the chill makes you work hard, party harder, wear all those clothes which I would hate to wear in summer, cook and eat as much you want..my most favorite season! Well, the best part is that its holidays for the boy which means no getting up early, no thinking your head out trying to decide the boy's tiffin next day, no deciding evenings depending on the boys homework and yes no early morning tantrums!!

This is what I call 'Maha-anondo'! Wish all the mothers with school-going kids 'Maha anondo'...!
 

November; Pujo fervour continues

KALI PUJO & KARTIK PUJO

It’s November and the popular refrain is ‘how time flies’. Yes the English year will end soon. 

November is another exciting month after the Durga Pujo frenzy of October. A fifteen-day respite is enough to overcome the post-Pujo blues and fatigue and gear up for the ‘Festival of Lights’. Preparations for Kali Pujo begin as soon as Lakshmi Puja gets over. Local hardware stores are alight. The colours twinkling inside those tiny stores are enough to dazzle us. Every house tries to outbid the other in getting the fanciest lights. One should check out Chandni Chowk market in Kolkata. Various kinds of lights in a wide range are available there. String of lights shaped as candles/diyas, electric diyas, pancha pradeep (five pradeep) are much in demand. 

And you can’t miss out the crackers. Though there is a high decibel limit, they still sell. The big daddy’s of crackers like ‘chocolate bomb’, ‘dudoma’, ‘dum duma dum’ are the most sought- after ones. A special mela is organized in Kolkata on the Brigade Grounds every year and is known as ‘baaji mela’. Crackers are on display everywhere. Even the tiny shops display a large collection of crackers. 

And yes people are still shopping! Suddenly there is a sale for every household appliance and assured Diwali gifts with it. Kalipujo has somehow got associated with the desire to wear the most gaudiest/glamorous outfit. Whoever I speak to have saved their glitziest outfit/sari for Kali Pujo. Kali Pujo these days is all about lights, color, glitz and glamour!

November also brings with it the much-needed chill in the air. The sky turns bluer, the sun loses its intensity, a cool breeze, light woolens out and we are all set for the fun and fiesta of November. 

There is Bhai Phonta, a day meant for the brothers and sisters to proclaim their love and renew their bonds for each other.

Kartik Pujo is performed by most women for the well-being of their offspring and also by married women who are yet to bear a child.

YOUR RECKONER FOR NOVEMBER

Jagadhatri puja, which is another form of the Goddess Durga on her lion sans her entourage of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Kartik and Mahishashur, has attained a metro status recently. Earlier it was a very homely affair with some households adhering to their age-old customs but these days its gained state-wide prominence.

November is also the month where the Bengali month Kartik gives way to Agrahayan. Kartik is considered the holiest of all months and many people give up non-vegetarian food altogether. Prices of fish, meat and eggs dip down to an all-time low. Good for Bongs like us who are based outside Kolkata! Kartik is also the time when we all put up ‘Akashprodeep’ (the guiding light) in the memory of our ancestors. 

More about these festivals and customs in my next topic. Meanwhile I have to hunt for some ‘tuni’ bulbs for my boy.

October fest begins

Few more days to go...exactly three weeks from Ma Durga's arrival.

MA ASHCHEN; DURGA PUJA AT BHANDARHATI, BURDWAN

My post dated September 21 was about Pujor Gondho.

Besides Kaash ful and Sheuli Ful, there are some more indicators for the festive season. The ones which are buzzing in my head are

A look at the sky ~

Clear with specks of clouds here and there. No threats of a heavy downpour which might dampen our pre-puja spirit. Brilliant sunshine which can get a bit uncomfortable. For the unfortunate ones in Kolkata its hot and humid. But we don't miss out on our sarees and accessories. We make it up on the blouses though. Daring necklines, sheer material, peek-a-boo straps, pearl-studded blouses, backless cholis and many such variety. Let me see if I can catch hold of some 'daring' pics this Pujo!!

Pre-puja Sale ~

July-August are the months of stock clearance before the fresh Puja stock come in and the best time to start your pujo shopping. Most of us can be seen rushing to the malls to splurge. Three weeks away and people are still buying. Tailors are refusing to take in any more orders. Such is the rush that I get my stuff from tailor 'dada' only on the Shoshthi night! And not to miss the traffic snarls. They get longer and irksome as Puja draws nearer. No matter how many volunteers are there on the roads, they still get clogged with traffic and pedestrians who try to cross the roads from every possible angle.

Pujo Offers~

RECKONER FOR OCTOBER

Wide range of offers on household appliances, furniture encouraging people to give their homes a new look. And who doesn’t want a fresh, new look in their house? I remember Ma would always get beautiful curtains for the Pujo and the house would look great.

Pujo Special~

For the wanderlusts, Bartaman magazine comes out with a special section from May-June featuring Pujo special travel. Detailed information on various tourist destinations are regularly featured  in this weekly magazine. A must read for all those planning to travel during Pujo holidays.

Pujo Cultural Fest~

As the countdown comes closer to the date, one can hear rehearsals for Pujo programmes around. Every club/housing complex organizes cultural programmes during the three days. 

Pujo Pandals~

Huge bill boards in every corner of the city announcing the theme of the Pujo pandal, the artist and the awards that the particular puja has won in the last few years. And this is quite an art. The theme is usually written in the form of a poem. One of my favourite pass time is travelling around Kolkata and capturing these themes on my camera. Its an art in itself which I don't think one gets to see anywhere else in India.  

 

If you have some more 'indicators' in your mind please do not hesitate to put them down. And I will add them with due credit to you. 

Bolo Durga Mai Ki Jai!