My Mom and me celebrating Lakshmi Pujo across the Atlantic

The tinge of sadness that hangs in the air with the end of Durga Pujo recedes significantly, as the Bengalis celebrate Lakshmi Pujo on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima. Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes Good Luck. Originating from the Sanskrit word “Laksya”, the Goddess brings wholesome wealth and prosperity. She is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Goddess Lakshmi is always clad in gold embroidered red clothes-red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. It is much smaller scale, celebrated in almost every household, compared to the more global, magnanimous feats during Durga Pujo. My Mom has always celebrated Lakshmi Pujo ceremoniously at home, waking up early to get things done in a grand way. Dad and I would contribute in our own small way, but it is Mom who always did most of the things done.

My Mom has always celebrated Lakshmi Pujo ceremoniously at home, waking up early to get things done in a grand way. Dad and I would contribute in our own small way, but it is Mom who always did most of the things done. My Mom decorates the home with floor patterns made of ground rice and water known as ‘alpanas’ or ‘rangolis’ and ‘S’-shaped footprints are made to symbolize the goddesses visit to replenish the wealth and prosperity of the homes. But on carpeted floors, I cannot do the same instead revert to floral decorations from flowers that I can collect from the small gardens at my work place.

It is almost party time at home with all close friends and relatives invited to the Pujo and most importantly, the great and typical food; Khichuri (delicious medley of rice and lentil with lot of spicy condiments), panchta bhaja (five different types of deep fried vegetables), alu-potoler tarkari (potato and pointed gourd cooked in a spicy-creamy sauce), payesh (rice pudding), naru and takti (coconut desserts) that accompany the occasion. The best thing about the Lakshmi Pujo at home is the splendor and grandeur associated with the way Mom does everything.

Here in US we do not end up with so many guests; nonetheless I make it a point to prepare well almost everything on the menu that I have grown up with and I have my eager and hungry (!) husband waiting to pounce on them. Having fasted through the day and then preparing all the food in the evening, we end up having a grand party once we are done with the rituals. However, I miss the taste of my Mom’s food, but at the end of the day I try my best to replicate her arrangements in this foreign land!