The foot tapping sound of the dhak, the mesmerizing fragrance of Shiuli flowers, the swift movements of dhunuchi dancers and the mouth-watering delicacies- welcome to the most enthusiastic festival of our country, Durga Puja.
Also called Sharadutsav, the festival marks the victory of Durga over Mahisasur and reestablishment of peace and harmony in earth.
For the Bengali community, this is most looked forward festival with them preparing for it for long. From colourful dhoti- kurtas to dapper and sexy sarees, to eating the yummiest of bhog to spending hours on adda, the time of Durga Puja has a different magic altogether.
The five day celebration will come to a halt tomorrow, as Maa Durga will bid the world a teary farewell.
Wanting to know how our TV celebs enjoyed the occasion, we called up few actors. Here is what they had to say...
Sayantani Ghosh: The first three days I took a leave as my parents were here to celebrate the festival from Kolkata. It was also my father’s birthday, so I really had a great time celebrating the festival. As I did not have much time, maa got my sarees as I am always in the lookout to don it. We visited pandals and as we were part of the Mukherjee’s pujo (Juhu), we had a gala time enjoying the cultural night programmes. Sadly, as big the festival turns out to be in Mumbai, it can never match up to the fun of a Kolkata puja. Being born and brought up in Kolkata, I miss the city and the fun frolic times there.
Indraneil Sengupta: I am not the quintessential Bengali who jumps up during Pujas. Also I am not really fond of crowded places and thus avoid the pandals. As a child I remember going with my parents to worship Maa Durga. I continue the tradition and me and Barkha (Bisht), take Meera (their daughter) to enjoy the festivity for a day. Rest the only factor that I enjoy every year is feasting on mutton on the day of Dashami.
Ishita Ganguly: I miss the fun and fervour of Durga Puja that I have enjoyed throughout my childhood in Kolkata. The festivity is different here in Mumbai but nevertheless when you have your family around, everything is special. I did go to a couple of puja pandals. I love getting into the Bong look for the celebration and try wearing sarees everyday. My dad got few jamdani and dhakai sarees. And not to forget, the diet goes in for a toss as we tend to gorge on the scrumptious food items present. One really fond memory that I have is when I was working for a Bengali serial, I visited a pandal and a huge crowd gathered to meet me. I was taken aback but was pleasantly surprised.
Ronit Roy: I am away from the hustle bustle in Goa for a short break. A lot of people ask me if it’s difficult for me to enjoy pujas now that I am a celeb but I disagree. The festival gives me a chance to enjoy the fervour and meet people I haven’t for ages. It is the best time to get together and enjoy. Although I don’t have any specific memories, I feel there is a special piousness that is not around any other time.
Resshmi Ghosh: This year, since my mother-in-law is unwell, I did not go to Kolkata for the pujas. I am thankful to social network for making life easier for me. We have a Whatsapp group titled ‘nijer’ (our own) where all my cousins are updating me with the happenings in the city. Our family celebrates the festival with much aplomb and although physically not present, I am part of the festivity through internet. Being a foodie, the only thing I am missing is the yummy delicacies that one gets to enjoy during the pujas. I had got some beautiful saress for pujas which I will soon flaunt in a family wedding.
Avinash Mukherjee: Since I have been travelling to attend Navratri events, I could not contribute much to the preparation of my area’s celebration (Charkop). My dad has been instrumental in doing it every year and I get inspired from him. I think Duga Puja is a priority in every Bengali’s list and it kind of brings together the entire community. I am so thrilled to see so many beautiful women around me, adorning the typical style of Bengali sarees. I also bought a number of clothes with my family and we all are decked up for the bhog and shondhi puja (evening aarti) everyday.
Happy Durga Puja everyone!!!
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