Durga Pujo and Sucheta- Take 1

Durga Puja in CR Park is a celebration of Bengali hearts. If anything could replicate the feeling of pandal hopping of North Kolkata, it was them, and they did it diligently. Bhog was distributed, stalls were set up and Sandhyaarati was conducted which, resonating with the energetic dhakis, really wafted the pujor gondho all around Delhi.

Decked in her best new clothes, Sucheta and her 13 friends left for the “Parar Pujo” of Delhi. It was one hell of chaos- 13 people united in their similar interest to soak in the Durga puja vibes and had different approaches to fulfil their curiosity. Some latched onto the food stalls, some in front of the murti and some engaged in their content creation a little too much. By the first 30 minutes, Sucheta was done calling 13 people individually to gather at one “Fortune Kacchi Ghani” stall with her brows furrowed and hands on her hip; some new technique needed to be introduced.

That’s how a leader was born. A fairy wand, that rhythmically twinkled, was used to beckon everyone and light up the way ahead. This proved worthy of its 60 rupees price and the group continued to move, slow and steady ahead. Again, 10 minutes later, the group hit a slumber and finally had to be broken down to suit two massive interests- food hopping and pandal hopping.

Sucheta wanted all the thirteen attendees to feel Durga puja. The rushing adrenaline as people flock in front of pandals with their hands joined in devotion, the silent flight of desperate prayers masked under the closed eyelids, the bubbling whispers of excitement, the crowded food stalls, the flashing phones, the hands stretched out to receive the blessing of the aarti-lamp and the list goes on. Sucheta could speak about it all day but she decided to restrict her grumbles to a pout. And she stomped ahead with the limited attendees. The six friends were encouraged after two bowls of ghugni and jhal muri and reached CR Park Kalibari, just in time for the Sandhyaarati.

That was where the evening reached its peak. Ma Durga, with her serene potol-chera gaze, bestowed the crowd with her grace. Her tranquil profile glowed under the burning lamps which was circumambulated in big waves. The aarti progressed rhythmically with the resounding dhaak, a staple for Durga puja. Sucheta stood there awestruck. Ma Durga has always been her confidante, and she has always sought her in her times of distress. Her bosom resonated with a strange poignancy that pooled in the corners of her eyes. She murmured- “Ma, tumi bhalo acho to?” (Ma, are you all right?) A shaky breath flies out in the smoky ambience and everything slowly fades into oblivion. Only she and Ma Durga stood in front of each other sharing empathetic support for one another. In their expressions of affection, they were one, Ma and Sucheta. A lone tear trickled down her cheek as she steadied her shaken lips to form a smile. “Ami bhalo achi ma. Chinta koro na.” (Don’t worry about me, I am all right.)

Her shaky prayers held more hope than she thought could fathom. Her eyes, moist, glistened with a renewed support, one that she had been scouring all around her. Her bosom heaved, rejuvenated with new confidence. And Sucheta herself? She was brimming with a delight so youthful and euphoric as if she had swallowed the Sun, as well!

The rest of the night went in a blur- random dance-offs in the pandal, impulsively buying two doughnuts just because they were melting “just the right way” in her mouth, a comforting dinner of dal-makhani and so on. The fairy wand persisted, guiding the group as they reunited on their journey back home.

Sucheta was happy. The day had been a tremendous success, and she had never anticipated experiencing such a beautiful Durga Puja outside her hometown. This profound connection with Ma Durga made her feel whole, and she walked on cloud nine, relishing every scent and memory from that beautiful evening. As she drifted to sleep, she was blissful, cherishing her secret exchange with Ma Durga, with hopes of experiencing it once more.