Durga Pujo is a very a special occassion in a every bengali's life. Born and brought up in bengal, it definitely has a tremendous effect on me too. The waiting for the festival, the festivities, then the sadness of realization that the puja has ended for the year and we have to wait for the next year are part parcel of this festival.
After celebrating in a small way in US for the last 6 years, this year I got the chance to celebrate in India. Though not in as grand a scale as in West bengal, Bangalore celebrations were not bad. I heard that there are almost 40 pujo throughout Bangalore.
I could go to three pujas in Bangalore. They were at Koramangala (organize by Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust), Jayamahal and Ulsoor. All the places were bubbling with energy. The fantastic thing was they were open to all and not closed to members only. Thank god, that gave me the chance to enjoy some yummy bhog at these places :-)
On Panchami, we went to the Ulsoor Bengali Association pujo. That was just the beginning. The pujo mantap was being set up. There was Ananda Mela and some children's events happening.
Sarathi trust had organized cultural programmes on all the days from Panchami. These programmes were performances by bands like Cactus, Zubani, Kohal and then dance performances. You would not get these all the 4 days in US :-).
When Durga Pujo is here, how can food be far ? Yummy khichudi bhog, potol torkaari, rosogolla, tomato chutney kept me busy for the three days. :-) Somehow during these days nothing else tastes good.
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