Durga Puja 2019

Durga Puja is related with the very essence of Bengalee culture. This year also we celebrated Durga puja, or only 'puja' as we refer to it, with great enthusiasm.

On Shashti and Saptami, we had cultural function. Preparation for those functions began two months back. We are happy that everything turned out well. Both the functions in two different puja mandaps were successful.

On Ashtami, there were games and quiz in the afternoon. In the evening at first we went to visit a Durga puja which also had many stalls, almost like a fair around it. Truly felt the spirit of Durga Puja in Rajasthan. Later we watched a dance programme by Natataj Dance Group. In the first presentation they portaryed a story of a mentally challenged girl, with the messege of empowering women. In the second presentation, they danced through the medley of recent Bengali and Hindi songs. Both the items were wonderful! They evoked respect in the hearts of the audience for this particular form of art, that is Dance.

On Nabami, we went to Delhi. At first we visited the Durga puja of Dakshin Delhi Kalibari, later we attended the Durga Puja of Mandir Marg Kalibari. Along with that we also visited the Kali mandir of both of these places.
Later in the evening we visited the Durga Puja of Mahipalpur.

On Dashami morning, we went to CR Park in Delhi. As we all know that C R Park has many many puja pandals, we visited a few- Co Operative Puja Samiti, GK 2, Nabapalli, Matri Mandir, Mela Ground. At last we reached the famous Shiv Mandir (now Kali mandir) of C R Park. Like every year, Durga puja was being celebrated with great pomp and grandeure there. We also visited the Kali mandir, Shiv Mandir and Radha Krishna Mandir there.

Really enjoyed the short trip to Delhi.
After lunch we returned home.
In the evening we had another performance in a Cultural function in our society.

On Ekadashi, we had a Vijaya Dashami get together and dinner.

Thus ended our Durga puja celebration for this year. Truly blissful days with the blessings of Ma Durga.

Our heart feels sad when we see Ma Durga returning to Kailash. But as it is said that she will again come in the next year.

Looking forward to it with eagerness.

Joy Ma Durga! 

Mahalaya 2019

Like every time, this year also I got up in the morning around 4 and listened to the devotional presentation Mahalaya. For a Bengalee, this composition truly brings alive the flavour of puja.

After the radio programme, I switched on the television. Many programmes were being aired simultaneously in different channels. I am giving a list of them here-

* Zee Bangla- '12 Mashe 12 Roope Debibaran'- In it, they showed the various forms of Aadi Shakti we worship during the 12 (Bengali) months of the year, like- Shatakshi, Shakambhari, Parvati, Jagaddhatri, Kaatyayani,  Ratantikali (here we had the reference of RadhaKrishna), Poushkaali, Basanti and some more.

* Star Jalsha- This was basically a dance representation of the original Mahishaura Mardini of All India Radio.

* DD Bangla- 
1. 'Debi Durgatinaashini'- It was a  representation of the various stories of Debi Durga through song and dance, where dance was presented by the veteran actress and danseuse- Hema Malini. 
This programme was also aired in DD National simultaneously.
2. Later during the daily live musical programme 'Sakal Sakal' - Shubhrojyoti and Piu - sang the complete version of AIR Mahalaya Mahishasura Mardini, Debashish Chakraborty did the stotra paath from Shri Shri Chandi.

* Colors Bangla- 'Jaago Durga' - Here was a programme which they aired in the previous year also, where an old couple and their family meets the Aadi Shakti who came to their house in disguise. I really love this drama and try to watch it everytime. Again, I enjoyed the show. Here are more details of the story in one of my previous Mahalaya posts. The name was Ashura Dalani Durga then,

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* Aakash Aath- 1. 'Raat Pohale Sharada Praate'- Since last few years Aakssh Aath is arranging a programme to welcome the divine morning of Mahalaya by the night long music programme- 'Raat Pohale Sharad Praate'. In the same way this year also they aired a live musical programne with various artists, which ran from 11 pm of the previous night to 7 am of Mahalaya morning.
2. 'Good Morning Aakash'- later they had their regular musical live programme Good Morning Aakash.

With the advant of Autumn and this Mahishadura Mardini, our mood is all set for Durga puja :)

Joy Ma Durga!

Mahalaya and Some of the Associations Related to Durga Puja and Autumn Season

Following my own ritual as I do every year, this year also I am writing a post on the occasion of Mahalaya.

As always, the morning started with 'Mahisaashura Mardini' on All India Radio. Later, we watched the story of Ma Durga through various representations in Drama or Dance aired in all the Bengali tv channels.


Now names of the programmes which were aired today on television-

Aakash Aath- Raat Pohle Shaarad Praate- a whole night long musicsl programme.

Colours Bangla- Jayang Dehi: Namastesyai Namah Namaha
                       - Genu Dada'r Durga Puja
                      - Ashur Doloni Durga (I particularly loved this one. It had the theme of aged parents having Durga puja tradition at home, but the children who live in other cities are not able to come on the occasion of Durga Puja, so the parents become sad and decide to end the tradition of puja. A Saadhika comes to their house and gives them assurance that their children will definitely visit them. Later the Saadhika starts narrating the story of Ma Durga, the villagers/ neighbours and the parents listen to it. To their surprise, the three sons of the old parents, come to the house to celebrate Durga Puja and narrate how their circumstances hinted them to visit their ancestral house and not to travel abroad during this time. They all get mesmerized by the inner power of the Saadhika, who tells her name as Jaya. At the end, they all realise that it was Maa Durga herself as they see the steps of Jaya enter the Durga idol.  Very nice story and execution. Rimjhim Mitra enacted the role of Jaya.)
                          

 Zee Bangla- Mahalaya 2018
                  - DuggaMaayer Jaadu Laddu
                  - Debi Durga'r Oshur Bodh

Star Jalsha- Durgotinaashini Durga

I keep on surfing all the channels and enjoy all the different representations on-screen on the day of Mahalaya each year :).

Durga puja is the main theme in all news channels these days. They are showing us various themes of the Durga Puja Pandals of 2018. I enjoy watching all those, as living far of Bengal we do not get enough holidays during the puja days and mostly stay indoors.

Now moving on  to the second topic which I want to cover today. That is, the recurrent theme associated with Durga Puja and also with Autumn Season in general. I am trying to note  them down one by one-

Shiuli Phool- almost vanished these days, faint memory of childhood.

Aagomoni Gaan- - mainly around Mahalaya and also during Durga Puja.

Kaash phool- this one exclusively belongs to small towns and villages. We have mostly seen it on television and on print media. I do not remember that I have seen it live ever. Most memorable scene any Bengali remembers regarding it is from the famous film Pother Paanchali by Satyajit Roy.

Small and light white clouds- this is the specialty of early Autumn. To many of us this is actually the harbinger of the great festival :)

Sound of the Dhak- nothing more to add. Waking up in the morning with the sound of Dhak brings the joy of the Puja.

Pujor Gaan- Song specially released on the occasion of Durga Puja- again a tradition of the golden era  (the 60s and 70s). Now almost obsolete tradition. Still we enjoy listening to various Bengali songs played in the puja pandals.

Adda, Pandal hopping, new dress- best fashion, eaing out, meeting friends and relatives- for Bengalees, all these make Durga Puja the BEST of all the festivals. And for children, it is all FUN, no scolding from parents, no study :D

Watching puja pandals on television- my most favourite pastime during Durga Puja :)

Bhashaan- Live telecast of immersion of Durga idol from various ghaats of Ganga, with commentary and interviews.

Immersion of Devi Durga idols from East Bengal (Bangladesh) and West Bengal on the river Ichhamati- I really love this tradition and watch it LIVE each year on television. A true amalgamation of cultures which have the same tune/ essence.

I also love to listen to different discussions regarding Durga Puja, spirituality, our epics on various tv channels during these days.

Another theme which is related to Durga Puja is the victory of women power. Here we do not try to empower women (like our society does, these days) but we recognize the Great Power (Potential) present in the female form from the very beginning.


Visiting houses of the neighbourhood/ relatives after Vijaya Dashami- another old tradition, almost vanished from today's world. We used to call it- 'Bijoya korte jaaowa', i e- going to do Vijaya :D. Where we would touch the feet of the elders of the house and they would bless us. Along with it a plate of sweets and snacks were offered. Those days were very different truly... And also in tuition classes there was a practice of offering sweets and snacks to students by the teacher, when they attended the classes after Vijaya Dashami. Fond memories of childhood... Now mostly people do not have time to visit elders (neighbours or relatives). Now the Vijaya Dashami pranaam or paying respect is done by phone call or message or WhatsApp.

Lakshmi Puja- it comes a few days after Vijaya Dashami. Almost all the houses in Bengal perform the puja of Mother Lakshmi for prosperity.


Navraatri- If we move beyond Bengalee culture we can find the concept of Navraatri throughout North and West India. The nine forms of the Mother is worshipped through many rituals and austerities.

Karva Chauth- a ritual which comes after Navraatri and is celebrated in many places of India. in this ceremony, the wife keeps a fast throughout the whole day for the welfare of the husband.


Here I come to the end of a quite lengthy post of mine :). Hope you all remember all these associations and cherish all the moments. Have a great time ahead!

Lots of love,

Joy Ma Durga.

Bharatshree Peetham- Sarveshwar Mandir

Bharatshree Peetham- Sarveshwar Mandir is situated in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. In last few years I went there many times. Today I am sharing some photo of the temple.

This mandir has idols of the Adhrdhnaarishwar roop of Mahadev, Radha Krishna, Vishnu Lashmi, Narsimha Lakshmi, Shri Ram Darbaar, Ma Aadi Shakti, Ganeshji,

It also has the photographs of Balaj and Adi Shankaracharya,

Whenever I used to go to Vasant Kunj for some work, I visited the temple. I enjoyed the quiet ambience of the temple. It is made of white marble.


There are also photos of the Nine forms of Ma Aadi Shakti, as well as of Dasha Mahavidya in the walls of the main mandir.

Do visit the temple if you go to Vasant Kunj sometime :).

Jai Shri Krishna.

Visit to Sai Mandir, B T Road

Some years back we went to Sai Mandir situated on B T Road, Sodepur. Today I am sharing the pictures of the temple.

It is a nice and quiet place. This is the main gate on B T Road.

From here the temple can be seen. Sai Baba's advice- Shraddha and Saburi are written on the entrance of the main building.

Inside there is the idol of Sai Baba. When we went there the morning aarati was over.

The temple has beautiful decoration with colourful artificial flowers, which look like real :)

The garden is maintained properly.

Just outside the temple there is this 75 ft tall GTS minar. A note from the PWD tells us that it was made on 1831, for the purpose of some geographical calculations by Trigonometry under the leadership of Gen. George Everest.

We had a nice morning trip :)

Devbhumi Kumaun- A Series on Doordarshan

There is a nice series called 'Devbhumi Kumaon', which has bene made by Pursuit Communications, and directed by- Deepak Bhatt and Rakesh Dag. The anchoring was done by a lady named- Nimmi. It takes the viewers to many famous places of Kumaon and tell us in details about those places, its history and the temples. Very informative programme, a treat to the audience who want to have a virtual visit to holy places of Kumaon only through the help of television.

The first episode informed us about Chand dynasty, which used to rule the area.
The previous name was Champawat.  

I have watched only a few episodes and loved it very much.

Any information about this series will be appreciated. Is it available online? It would have been very good if anyone can contact the persons related to this series and request them to either upload it to YouTube or to make it commercially available as a CD/DVD in market. Or the best would be a repaet of the whole series in any channel of Doordarshan. 

A beautiful series indeed!!



Jai Shri Krishna.

Yamunotri

Travel XP channel has a series named Divine Destinations. Last week they took us to Yamunotri which is the origin of Yamuna river.

The actual Yamunitri glacier is a bit higher, very few people are able to visit it. So mostly people offer their prayers to Yamunotri temple which is situated at the foot of the hill.

They started their journey from Hanunaan Chati. Bhairon Nath mandir is situated in the route to main mandir which is also considered auspicious to visit before visiting the main temple. There is a Surya Kund which is a hot spring. It is auspicious to visit the kund along with Yamunotri temple. Devotees make prasaad in the kund by boiling rice and potato in the hot water. Then the anchor took us to Yamunotri mandir :)

The programme also covered the legends of Asit Muni, of Yam- Yami (Yamuna), Suryadev- Sandhya and Chhaya and some more stories like it is said that Lord Shiva bathed in Yamuna during his sad phase after Sati's death.

Yamuna is very important river in Krishna avataar's life as most of His leelas took place around this river. Some devotees consider Yamuna as more pious than Ganga because baby Krishna's feet touched the waters of Yamuna river when Vasudev was crossing the river to go to Nand's place to keep his son there for safety. Yamuna is also considered a wife of Krishna according to some legends. Kalindi is another name of Yamuna.

Beautiful picturesque nature spontaneously evokes devotion in our hearts. That is the reason why the temples in the higher mountains are frequented by earnest devotees :).

Jai Ma Yamunotri!