Season of colors and festives

After a long time Iam writing, just finished off my mid-sem so felt like scribbling something.

This time of the year makes me very nostalgic: days of school, days of my childhood. After a year long wait for Durga Puja , the 4 day festival of a Bengali is back. Fragrance of shiuli phool (parijaat) in the air, cool morning breeze , cotton puff clouds in the sky,cool and pleasant evenings, lots of shopping for the 3-4 days outings ... all speak out loud and clear that Ma Durga is coming to her parental home. Yes thats what we bengalies believe: during Durga Puja Ma comes with her 4 children to visit her father's abode. She is welcomed with all grace ,warmth and extravaganza. From shashti through saptami,ashatami,navami starts the pooja rituals , pandal excursions, outings, donning the best of dresses and of course devouring the tastiests. Vijaya Dashami marks the departure of the deity back to her husband's home to come again the next year. With Vijaya Dashami starts the episodes of family get-togethers and trips to elders (if they are near) to offer our regards(pronaam).Its complete fiesta time. Wait for a fortnight and then we have Diwali the festival of lights. Houses adorned with Rangolis and lights and decorations invite goddess Lakshmi to bestow happiness and wealth on all households.

One of my friend used to say "Come monsoon and the 6 month long season of festival starts in India.. " and thats so true. Starting from rakhi , janmashtami , ganesh chaturthi to Durga pooja, diwali and finally Christmas and New Year, not to mention the Id and gurunanak jayanti which fall between. Ours is truly a land of festivals, fiestas and diversity.

Back in US , I was busy reading my text books during the Pooja but missing my home badly. I dont smell the sweet aroma of Shiuli but yes definitely the air has little festive spirit.. halo ween, Thanksgiving Christmas and New Year are all lined up. The trees are changing colors everyday and thats one beauty no artist can overlook, from green to pale green to red , then to orange . and then one fine day when you wake up you find a single leaf on the bare branches ready to fall off any time. Fall is really beautiful in US, but nothing can match the festivals of my country. Waiting to go back and celebrate all the festivals with all the grandeur....