Durga Puja art 2October and November are two of the most festive months in the Hindu calendar. Dusserah is observed on the tenth day of the autumn lunar calendar when after a four-day celebration (or puja) of Goddess Durga, devotees bid her adieu. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and success, appears on the full moon immediately after.

In Bengal, where we came from, Lakshmi is also known as one of the two daughters of Durga, the other daughter being Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. Along with two sons Ganesh and Kartik and these two daughters, Durga descends from the Himalayas where her husband Shiva lives, to pay an annual visit to her parents’ home on mortal earth. Religion and scripture have taken various easy-to- understand forms in various parts of India. In Bengal and eastern provinces, Hinduism has taken on a least rigid shape.

It has a long history with other religions, and two centuries of British colonization. Then, in a fortnight, on the new moon, Diwali happens, which is also known as the Festival of Lights. All across India, and in households of Indian origin across the globe, regardless of their religion, Indians celebrate this secular festival, which also is known as Kali Puja, or the invocation of Goddess Kali. Fireworks – big and small – light up the sky, all night long.

Goddess Kali Kali Puja

Goddess Kali

Both Durga and Kali are manifestations of the divine power that vanquishes the demon. Thus, both goddesses are called Demon Slayers. Ironically, an otherwise very patriarchal society keeps worshiping two goddesses, whose places are high on the Hindu hierarchy. History says India and especially its Hindu society were much less male-dominated, compared to what we see today. Some societies were even matriarchal. But that’s another story.

We grew up in the Bengali traditions and culture where festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali were more social than religious. In a city like Calcutta, we would go from neighborhood to neighborhood, women wearing their new saris and men their new shirts and shoes, and be awed with the art and decoration of the makeshift temples. Of course, to enter the main temple or sanctum sanctorum, you must take your shoes off. Further, there would be competitions among our friends who got to see the maximum number of neighborhood pujas.

Durga Puja art 3

Goddess Durga

Often, after the completion of the four-day festival, or even after the Diwali, many neighborhoods would gather together celebrated musicians, and host all-night concerts or soirees. Music and art have always been important, integral elements of our religious celebrations. Food, of course, is the other important element in our religious and social festivities. In some parts of India, where religion is stricter unlike Bengal or Calcutta, food is always vegetarian. But in places like West Bengal, Bangladesh, Assam or Punjab, there is always a mixture of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. But there is a twist. To comply with priests and religious scriptures, people have found various, innovative ways to make up their puja food recipes.

The vegetarian Puja bhog will include: Khichuri, Mixed vegetable, Beguni (Egplant fritters), Tomato chutney and Payesh.

Then many non-vegetarian dishes including exquisite Fish dishes and Meat (Lamb Korma etc) are very popular during this time.

Any way I am sharing one with you.

 

Phulkopir Chorchori – Cauliflower and Potato Curry

Cauliflower Curry

Cauliflower Curry

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