DURGA PUJA

Like every year, this year "PUJO" was an awaited affair.. Shopping, Getting ready, synchronizing what to wear with what jewellery etc was going on at full swing..

Then a thought crossed my mind - what makes Pujo so special??

Was it just the new clothes, and jewellery, and trying to look our best?? or was there more??

I had read an article a couple of years back by a girl who didn't like Durga Puja days that much as she felt there was more of showing off by women about their sarees and jewellery rather than concentrating on the Puja.

But I feel, its definitely more than that. Its a time for family and friends and now at this stage in life I can understand it more.. My Dad who more often stays out of Delhi comes every year so the whole family is together.. I get to meet old tution, school and college friends in person where nowadays interaction is mostly through orkut/facebook- remembering the good old times.. Getting to see people who rarely come out and catch up.. lots of nostalgia attached to it..

And of course, the eating out and the time where everyone splurges their "PUJO SAVINGS"..

I feel really lucky to be Bengali and be a part of this great tradition handed over by our forefathers..

Yes, maybe it has been modified a bit.. like instead of a single new pair of new clothes (like shown in Pather Panchali) we get several, and more of modern dressing rather than traditional.. But the basic spirit of togetherness and "anondo" is surely timeless and exquisite..

And it always ends on the note - "ASCHE BOCHOR AABAR HOBE!!" (Will Happen again next year)