Puja flavour rules over Bengali psyche

This is dedicated to all Bengalis who are smelling the dhaak, the pushpanjali of ashtami, the 'dhunuchinach, the sindur khela and above all Maa Durga, during the festival period. But Puja these days is getting commercialised. As if Maa is getting corporat.

ALL BENGALIS, especially those in Kolkata, are in a festive mood with shopping, food, outing plans and whatever they can to make these five days the most happening moment of the year. This craze starts in Kolkata almost a month ago, but now it has reached its peak with ’Mahalaya’. With just a fews days left for Pujas, people can turn the world upside-down to enjoy these moments of bliss. Puja pandals are now in the making. Every road, every street and every little lane of Kolkata will surely witness some form of pandal-making. The traditional Puja pandals, which are regular prize winners like the Telengabagan, Ekdaliaevergreen, Singhipark, Sribhumi etc., are all ready with their plans. They are ready and striving hard to make it to the top three. Even the minor pandals are made with utmost dedication. With Maa coming home with her children after an year, casting aside the age bar people jump into collecting chandas, forming puja committees, meetings…..all in dedication to Maa who brings in joy and merriment along with her.
It’s not only in Kolkata, Bengalis in other parts of the country also celebrate Durga Puja. Like in Delhi we find aristocrat families have their own Puja. They have been doing it for years and celebrate in their own fashion with a huge gathering. This we normally find in joint families where the practise of holding Durga Puja personally is being transmitted from one generation to the other. Similarly, in other places also, we find Durga Puja taking place and its ardour is most popular and enthusiastic. These days it has become a vogue for Bollywood stars to celebrate Durga Puja at their residence to show devotion. Though behind the curtain story is that they do it just to gain some more fame and publicity.

But Puja these days is getting commercialised. As if Maa is getting corporate flavour. Thousands of business and advertisement plans line up as the Puja comes closer.

Sales, discount, Puja bonanza all come up in the name of Puja celebration and businessmen make huge profit. The situation is that these people longs for this moment throughout the year when they can make the maximum profit especially in Kolkata. As we go to the streets of the city, smooth traffic is nowhere to be seen.

Crowd, traffic, confusion, blocked roads are just the season of the month. Newspapers, television, hoardings, internet all carry loud banner type advertisements. Major projects are planned in accordance with the puja dates to bring in maximum profit. This is the present scenario of Durga puja. People do understand these but cannot resist giving in to the corporate wit. After all Maa comes only once in a year. And anything for her.

Just a few days and Bijaya Dashmi comes. As we see her immersing in water with the setting sun in her background…..such moments are truly poignant. Business does not come to mind anyhow. Keeping all the critical analysis aside, let’s get ready to celebrate the most awaited occasion. Let’s be prepared to welcome Maa whole-heartedly, in just the Bengali ishtyle.
sourcE: http://www.merinews.com