UKHCA 2022 - Annual Brochure

Sharodiya Durga Puja 2022
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪২৯
Agomoni (Arunima Saha)
We are elated and excited at the same time, to get together again this year to welcome our Maa Durga.
This is a time when the occasional white clouds in the sky, yet with a golden sunshine; the glorious
blooming of Kaash phool (Kans grass); the sweet and heavenly scent of Shiuli phool (night-flowering
jasmine) usher in, not only somewhat cool Aashwin autumnal weather but also bring with them, the
true joy of festivity and revelry.
On Mahalaya, the last day of Pitri Paksha, when we remember and pay homage to our ancestors,
Chokkhu daan (painting of Maa Durga’s eyes) invokes and beckons the Goddess to the earth. Aashwiner
Shaarodo praate beje utheche alokomonjir…. Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Chandi Paath resonates not
only in every Bengali’s home, it also rings in our minds, stirring and exciting our souls to the upcoming
celebratory Devi Paksha (fortnight of the Goddess), our Maa Durga’s journey to the earth with her
children – Ganesha, Paarvati, Lakshmi and Kaartik. On Maha Shashti our festivities begin, starting
with the priest’s Sankalpa (intention to conduct all rituals properly), Kalaparambha (unveiling Maa
Durga’s face) and Akaal Bodhon (awakening of the Goddess at an uncustomary time). Many other
rituals follow over the next few days – on Maha Shaptami – we start with Kola bou snaan (bathing a
banana tree in ceremonial water and draping it in laal paad shaada saree and placing it next to Ganesh
– as his wife), Nabapatrika (worshipping nine types of plants along with Kola bou); on Maha Ashtami –
Astra pujo (weapon worship) and Kumari pujo (worship of woman power) take place; at the confluence of
Maha Ashtami and Maha Nabami – the Shondhi pujo is done by lighting 108 Pradips (earthen lamps)
and offering 108 lotus flowers and a joba phooler maalaa to celebrate Shondhikhon (when Devi Durga
idol gets prana or life) – and Maa Chaamunda’s slaying of demons Chando and Mundo – signified by
offering Bolidaan (cutting a symbolic fruit like a banana); on Maha Dashami we celebrate the victory
of good over evil and with a heavy heart, bid adieu to our Maa – the Dorpon bishorjon (symbolically
immersing Maa’s idol by seeing her reflection in a bowl of water) and Boron (offering vermillon and
sweets to the Goddess and seeking her blessings) are followed by the culmination of the revelries with
Shindoor Khela (applying vermillon and offering sweets to our friends) and wishing everyone happiness
for the year ahead, in the hope that we will meet again to celebrate this joyous event next year.
The grandeur of the festivities, the ek chaalar thakur (sculpted on a single platform), the daaker shaaj
(silver foil imported via post – daak), the dhunuchi naach (dance with earthen bowls filled with lit
coconut husk and incense) , the shondha aaroti (evening puja) – Durga pujo is not only about deity
worship, but also a celebration of togetherness, of the community, meeting friends and forming new
friendships, travelling to new places to see pujo, enjoying the proshaad and bhog (food offered to the
Goddess) with that hint of heavenly flavour in it.
Sharanaagata deenaartha paritraana paraayaney
Sarvasyarti harey Devi Narayani namostutey
As a child, I have fond memories of visiting pandals in New Delhi and Kolkata with my parents. That sweet
excitement of preparing for pujo, a song here, a dance performance there, still brings vivid memories.
I was awed that Ma Durga has dasha-bhuja (ten arms) signifying immense strength and is Trinayani
(three-eyed) with the third eye on her forehead symbolizing knowledge, fire and consciousness. As a
mother and wife, I have come to believe these powers, although invisible, are imbibed in us. Supported by
our better halves and families, in this modern-day world, we as a grandmother, mother, wife, daughter
- endeavour to protect, bring happiness, remove misery and fear. We welcome the Goddess in our heart
and soul and celebrate her within us – we celebrate the Durga in us – everyday. May Maa Durga live
on in our hearts.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
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Registered UK Charity No. 1069932