The Trivia of Celebration

Hello friends, yesterday we returned back to Kolkata from our trip to Bhagalpur, Bihar. We had a blast of a time during the Durga Puja festivities there, along with our relatives from my husband’s side. The great thing was that we were able to seek our mother in law’s blessings along with the mother Goddess. She is nearing ninety, yet so full of life, affection and care for all, though her movements are restricted by the old age. It’s indeed our great fortune to enjoy her company. I have enormous respect and reverance for her as I consider her my true mentor too!

Friends as we were away from Kolkata, we couldn’t personally visit the Puja Pandals for which the city is quite famous for. It was ten days absolute carnival like atmosphere and people, freshly vaccinated, came out in droves to celebrate the Holy stay of the Goddess Durga on the Earth.

A British Council report commissioned by the tourism department of the Bengal government pegs the total economic worth of the creative industries around Durga Puja before the pandemic at Rs 32, 777 crore which is 2.58% of Bengal’s GDP. Through this assessment, you can imagine the gigantic proportion in which the festival is celebrated here.

As people wear new outfits mostly, traditional ones, during the festival. The malls across the city have surpassed 2019 sales in the run up to Durga Puja. The food and beverages (F&B) sales have also clocked reccord high during the festive days.

It’s indeed a grand visual galore of idols of the deity and decoration in various pandals, where art meets creativity and tradition. So the pandal hopping is a must in the itinerary of most Kolkatans.

Friends I’m providing you, some glimpses of the idols, so that you also can feel the grandeur. So here it is.

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  Traditional Goddess idol.

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  The Crowd at a pandal.

It’s quite relieving to find no spike in infection numbers due to festivities. Still we must remain on our guards to prevent any more waves.We should not blunder of skidding on the way to our destination. Every one must adhere to safety protocols and vaccinate themselves to shut the pandemic away from our lives for good.

Wishing you all happiness, health and prosperity. Please do take care.

Adieu for now.