Saturday, October 20, 2012

Durga Puja Begins

It's that time of the year again .... the most awaited Durga Puja. Beautiful deities are created by skilled craftsmen and enormous pandals erected. People wear new clothes and go out, hopping from one pandal to another, enjoying the full colors of this festival.

This is that one time of the year when Kolkata stays awake 24x7, energetic and brimming with enthusiasm.

This is that time of the year when you wake up to the music of dhaak, the powerful rhythm filling your heart with joy of devotion.

And yes, this is that time of the year when you can proudly say you reside in Kolkata, witnessing the full grandeur of the Goddess.

Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Maa (Mother) Durga, symbolizing goodness, over the evil demon Mahishasur.

This is a 10 day festival. On the final day, the deities of Goddess Durga and her four children (Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya) are immersed in the sacred Ganges. Soon after, the wait and preparation for the next year's Puja begins. This year, the 10th day would be 24th of October.

Here are a few clicks taken from my camera during last night's tour of pandals.

















All of a sudden, my camera stopped working. That was sad. However, my cell phone saved the day with its 5 MP camera. Below are the pics from my cell phone.

















A Very Happy Durga Puja to all my blogging friends. Enjoy and have fun :-)






24 comments:

  1. Wow! So colorful and vibrant! Happy Durga Puja to you! :)

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  2. Wonderful pictures. Hope you enjoy this time.

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    1. Thanks a lot Anthony. Have a great day :-)

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  3. Hmmm..you are a nice photographer! Great pictures. You captured the puja spirit, I can't believe! Its amazingly good :)

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    1. Thanks Dark Angel ... Perhaps your 'clicking' quality acts as my source of inspiration :-)

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  4. Beautiful shots of beautiful Durga Ma.. :))

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  5. I enjoyed learning about the holiday and seeing your photos. It looks like a wonderful time. Happy Durga Puja to you!

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    1. It indeed is a wonderful time :-) May Goddess Durga shower her blessings on all of us :-)

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  6. I have always been fascinated about the culture in Kolkata!
    Specially,this durga puja,plus all the lights,colors and the women attire! Beautiful! One thing,always attracted me about the women their,is their big over sized BINDIS!

    My friend happens to be the native there,so am quiet aware!

    Beautiful pictures. :)

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    1. Thanks Sakshi ... Kolkata is the best place to be at this time of the year :-)

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  7. Wish u a very happy and prosperous navratri....and loved to see u going beyond haiku.....
    Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

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    1. Ha ha ha ... I try going beyond haiku, but then again, my limited ideas hold me back :-(

      Have a great navratri buddy :-)

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  8. I haven't been to one since over 3 years now and I miss the festivity..
    Greetings to you on this festive season!!

    +Not Just My Allegories+

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  9. Lovely shots!!....Happy Navaratri :)

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  10. Thanks for bringing your experiences there.....Sitting in my hostel, Ive really felt it....
    Hope u had a nice pooja!!

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    1. Thanks Aravind ... May we all receive the Goddess' blessings :-)

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  11. Wishing you & your family a Happy Durga Puja! Enjoy, have fun. Just yesterday I went to kali badi in our locality, the pandal was really beautiful. The picture you shared with us all so lovely, reminded me of the ones here :) Take care!

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  12. Beautiful depiction of the goddess and this sacred family. Thank you for sharing this, Amrit. Very such so enjoyed! Happy Navratri to you and yours!

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    1. Happy Navratri and Durga Puja to you and your family :-)

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