Since the mid -week of September 2011, the Pujo fever had completely affected me. Amidst my daily chores, I continued to think about the kurtas to buy, sarees and blouses to wear, the accessories to buy and lastly, the gifts to expect from parents et al. The Pujo topic emerged even during my chats with my friends, post-lunch either on FB or Gtalk. My mom and mother-in-law also discussed about pujo, with great enthusiasm, every time I talked to them over the phone. Such was (still is..) the fervour of pujo and it became manifold, when my husband expressed his desire to visit his hometown and mine, as well during Durga Puja. I only excliamed to myself .. "what fun..!!"
However, as October set in, I saw some of my friends living abroad, lamenting their inability to be in Kolkata during pujo this time. Their sobs (not literally) and their wonderful notes on FB on Pujo and it's significance for Bengalis all over the world, reminded me of my predicament exactly a year back. The notes of my friends Aishani, Debolina and her buddy Poulomi inspired me to write this blog. Before going further, let me warn you that this blog is intendeed to express my feelings and condition during the 1st pujo that I had spent out of Kolkata, after my wedding. Let's begin!
I got married in 2010 and began a new phase with my husband in Pune. We had decided then, that we will definitely go to Jamshedpur and Kolkata during Pujo in 2010. Accordingly, we bought tickets and planned our vacations in advance, informing beforehand, at our respective workplaces. My in laws were visiting and on my husband's birthday, came the good tiding that he has been promoted and will be shifted to new team. This was around September and Pujo was in October I guess! There was a massive re-think and the outcome was, I will Go, come what may! But my parents told us that we had to go together, as it was our first pujo as life partners. So the verdict was - either WE go or we DON'T. Eventually, we could not go. Now what to do and how to enjoy the festival, was the next question that was tormenting us.
I told myself, that even if I am not in Kolkata or the eastern part of the country, I will still celebrate PUJO, my way. If the festive ambience is lacking, let's create it. So with renewed energy, I began shopping for clothes, accessories and shoes. And at the end of it, it was more than satisfying, I must say.
On Ashtami, me and my in laws went to offer Pushpanjali, clad in new sarees and ornaments. In the evening, we hired a car and visited whatever pandals Pune manages to have. Then we wound it up by a nice dinner. What more can you ask for? Here we were in our best dresses, looking like absolute divas (we did receive such compliements, mind you) and enjoying Pujo as we used to in Kolkata or JSR.. Shoshthi evening was spent with my friend, Subarna, her husband Sudip Da and Aniket, munching on rolls, that were ghosts of the yummy rolls of Kolkata. Nevertheless it gave us a feel of the Kolkata pujo again. Saptami evening was a completely different affair altogether. We had been to Koregaon Park Durga Pujo pandal, where 2 singers from Mumbai stole the show, by singing hit songs of Kishore Kumar. The audience was mesmerised, and everyone were on their toes, dancing wildly. Nabami night was a delightful affair at Koyla, as we enjoyed the delicious mughlai food. On Dashami, me and my mom-in-law and my friend, Subarna, went for the Sindur Khela. One fact that I forgot to mention - we had Ma Durga right in our locality last year, so it added to the charm all the more.
To conclude, though the Pune Pujo completely lacks the fervour and frenzy of Pujo in Kolkata, however, me and my family managed to enjoy it in our own sweet ways, much like the ususal way. The only difference might have been in the scale, as pujo in Kolkata and the eastern parts of the country is on a much much grander scale.
Friends, have a Happy Pujo with your families and do not forget to deck your homes, yourselves, appease your taste buds and fill your tummies with the yummiest food during Ma Durga's homecoming. Cook up a storm if you can for your life partners and enjoy the festival in your own little ways. After all, the feeling is most important and that's what matters the most. May the Goddess bless you all. Signing off for now.. will be back soon with memories of this year's Puja and photos of course!
However, as October set in, I saw some of my friends living abroad, lamenting their inability to be in Kolkata during pujo this time. Their sobs (not literally) and their wonderful notes on FB on Pujo and it's significance for Bengalis all over the world, reminded me of my predicament exactly a year back. The notes of my friends Aishani, Debolina and her buddy Poulomi inspired me to write this blog. Before going further, let me warn you that this blog is intendeed to express my feelings and condition during the 1st pujo that I had spent out of Kolkata, after my wedding. Let's begin!
I got married in 2010 and began a new phase with my husband in Pune. We had decided then, that we will definitely go to Jamshedpur and Kolkata during Pujo in 2010. Accordingly, we bought tickets and planned our vacations in advance, informing beforehand, at our respective workplaces. My in laws were visiting and on my husband's birthday, came the good tiding that he has been promoted and will be shifted to new team. This was around September and Pujo was in October I guess! There was a massive re-think and the outcome was, I will Go, come what may! But my parents told us that we had to go together, as it was our first pujo as life partners. So the verdict was - either WE go or we DON'T. Eventually, we could not go. Now what to do and how to enjoy the festival, was the next question that was tormenting us.
I told myself, that even if I am not in Kolkata or the eastern part of the country, I will still celebrate PUJO, my way. If the festive ambience is lacking, let's create it. So with renewed energy, I began shopping for clothes, accessories and shoes. And at the end of it, it was more than satisfying, I must say.
On Ashtami, me and my in laws went to offer Pushpanjali, clad in new sarees and ornaments. In the evening, we hired a car and visited whatever pandals Pune manages to have. Then we wound it up by a nice dinner. What more can you ask for? Here we were in our best dresses, looking like absolute divas (we did receive such compliements, mind you) and enjoying Pujo as we used to in Kolkata or JSR.. Shoshthi evening was spent with my friend, Subarna, her husband Sudip Da and Aniket, munching on rolls, that were ghosts of the yummy rolls of Kolkata. Nevertheless it gave us a feel of the Kolkata pujo again. Saptami evening was a completely different affair altogether. We had been to Koregaon Park Durga Pujo pandal, where 2 singers from Mumbai stole the show, by singing hit songs of Kishore Kumar. The audience was mesmerised, and everyone were on their toes, dancing wildly. Nabami night was a delightful affair at Koyla, as we enjoyed the delicious mughlai food. On Dashami, me and my mom-in-law and my friend, Subarna, went for the Sindur Khela. One fact that I forgot to mention - we had Ma Durga right in our locality last year, so it added to the charm all the more.
To conclude, though the Pune Pujo completely lacks the fervour and frenzy of Pujo in Kolkata, however, me and my family managed to enjoy it in our own sweet ways, much like the ususal way. The only difference might have been in the scale, as pujo in Kolkata and the eastern parts of the country is on a much much grander scale.
Friends, have a Happy Pujo with your families and do not forget to deck your homes, yourselves, appease your taste buds and fill your tummies with the yummiest food during Ma Durga's homecoming. Cook up a storm if you can for your life partners and enjoy the festival in your own little ways. After all, the feeling is most important and that's what matters the most. May the Goddess bless you all. Signing off for now.. will be back soon with memories of this year's Puja and photos of course!
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