Durga Puja – A faith and festivity

 The celebration of Ma Durga’s Puja has always held a special place in my heart. This great Hindu festival marks the victory of good over evil and the triumph over demon Mahisasur by Ma Durga. As per the Hindu calendar, Durga puja is celebrated from the sasthi (6th day) to dasami (The tenth day) tithi or the sixth day to the tenth day of the sukla paksha( Fortnight from the new moon to full moon period in the lunar calendar in the month of Ashwin. Since my childhood, this occasion has been a cherished tradition. In those early years, the Puja pandal was a humble and limited affair. My siblings and I would wake up at the crack of dawn, gathering Sewali and Aparajita and other flowers from our garden and our friendly neighbours. These vibrant blooms were a precious offering for the Goddess Durga during the Puja by the priest. However, nowadays, there is competition amongst various pandals on how more beautifully their pandal can be made than the others and it has a negative impact in spirituality though other ways it gives pleasure to the eyes and some income to the artiste and pandal contractor.

We in those days would set off for the pandal without indulging in breakfast, the sweet embrace of a refreshing morning bath is our sustenance. Once we reached the pandal, the fragrant flowers were deposited, awaiting their role in the sacred rituals. After this, we’d return home for a hearty breakfast. From those formative moments, my devotion to Ma Durga was unwavering. I truly believed that she watched over us, shielding us from life’s trials.

As the years passed, my commitment to visiting various Puja pandals grew. The days of Astami and Dasami held a special significance, as they were dedicated to fervent prayers. On Dasami, I’d visit the pandal in the early morning, as it marked the culmination of the celebrations. By then, the priest had conveyed our collective supplications to Ma Durga, and her benevolent blessings were sought for the welfare of the devotees.

Beside the Puja pandal, a bustling mela, or fair, would temporarily spring to life. These lively temporary marketplaces offered an array of delights, from toys and games to aromatic street food. Colourful balloons, toy guns, and playful diversions beckoned with the promise of joy. The swing wheels and other attractions drew large crowds, and the atmosphere was brimming with exhilaration. While people revelled in the festivities, I always ensured that my first stop was the pandal for my earnest prayers.

In our early years, there were only two Puja pandals within a half-kilometre radius in our town, and the road connecting them bustled with people making repeated movements, both sides of the road having temporary shops selling various items and foods specially Jelebis , a sweet item. In the evenings, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the crowds swelled, and movement became a challenge. Despite the congestion, the authorities made admirable efforts to manage the traffic.

On the evening of Dasami, a poignant moment arrived as the Durga idols were ceremoniously taken to the nearby river for immersion. It was a heartfelt farewell to the goddess who had graced our lives with her presence. This tradition, which began in my childhood, shaped my enduring devotion to Ma Durga. Even today, in times of hardship or uncertainty, I turn to her, seeking her divine blessings. The memories of those early days of Puja festivities continue to warm my heart, reminding me of the joy, devotion, and community that this cherished tradition has brought into my life.

After the immersion of the Durga idols in the river ghat, a surge of excitement would wash over the mela. It was the final day, and the vendors enticed shoppers with discounts, creating a bustling marketplace. People eagerly scoured the stalls, making last-minute purchases, and the atmosphere was charged with an electrifying energy.

In North India, this day holds a dual significance, celebrated as Dussehra. Here, the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarna were set ablaze, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It was a tradition as old as time, and as the effigies turned to ash, sweets were joyously distributed among the gathered crowd, spreading the message of victory and unity.

My devotion to Ma Durga has been an enduring presence in my life. When I acquired my first car, a Maruti 800, a new entrant in the market, I drove it extensively. One of my favourite destinations was the Deopani Temple, an ancient Durga shrine nestled in the heart of a tea garden. The sight was truly breathtaking, and I believed that the blessings of Ma Durga were responsible for the many good things happening in my life.

During my years in service, I often found myself posted in remote, insurgency-ridden areas, where our lives were under constant threat. It was during this challenging period that my faith in the blessings of Ma Durga became an integral part of my thought process, a source of strength and resilience.

There was a moment of intense vulnerability when a major heart attack struck, confining me to the ICU for an extended period. I was miraculously released just a day before the auspicious start of the Puja. However, my health took a sudden downturn, and I was re-admitted on Astami day. Following major surgery, I made a remarkable recovery. Beyond the skilled hands of the medical team and the support of my well-wishers, I knew that it was the blessings of Ma Durga that had given me the strength to overcome this ordeal. Thinking of her gave me the strength to persevere.

A significant journey also left an indelible mark on my faith. My entire family embarked on a pilgrimage to Ma Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, walking the arduous 14 kilometres from the foothills to the temple. My wife, who had a serious knee problem, triumphantly made the journey walking, as it is believed that one can visit Ma Vaishno Devi only when she calls you. We were overjoyed to have received her divine blessings, and the experience deepened our faith.

I visited the temple once more before my heart attack, and I firmly believe that it was the blessings of Ma Durga, who is also Ma Vaishno Devi, and Ma Kamakhya in Guwahati, that guided me through the health crisis and helped me survive.

The power of faith is a remarkable force that can grant us the strength to face adversity and overcome the most critical challenges. It exists in various forms and under different names, but it is a common thread that unites humanity. whoever says by whatever the name in different areas, or faiths, the belief in some superpower can not be ignored. Even most of the great scientist are visiting some sacred place of their faith before embarking on a great mission. The surgeon who are doing miracles kept a photo of some super power they have faith in. Even those who claim to be atheists often reveal an internal belief in a higher power during moments of need.

Today, on this auspicious Astami day, I offer my prayers for myself, my family, and the entire nation, wishing for peace and well-being for all. May the blessings of Ma Durga continue to watch over us and guide us through the journey of life.