Singhabahini Trinayoni..........

The days are getting shorter, the trees are changing colors as if someone is weaving a fine brush of color and enthusiasm across the world canvas, the blue skies are abound with wispy white clouds and everyone is busy preparing for the impending holiday season. However, it is already festive time in India….it is that time of the year when I miss my home and the existing atmosphere the most.

I am sure it is same for all of you who consider themselves ‘Bengali at heart’. Durga pujo (worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga) is the center piece of the festive season, where idol of Goddess Durga and her four children are worshipped for five days. This period is epitomized by the flickering kashful (Kans Grass), the non-ending reverberation of Dhak (Indian folk drums), the aroma of new clothes, siuli ful (Nyctanthes) and dhup dhuno (essenced smoke) in the fresh morning air.

One wakes up to the chants of mantras echoing out from the loudspeakers……

                      Ya devi sarvabhuteshu sakti - rupena samsthita, namas tasyai … … …
                                  Rupang dehi Jayang dehi Jasho dehi......Disho jahi
          (To that goddess who abides in all beings as power : Sautaions to Thee, …)

it is something difficult to perceive unless one is exposed to the throngs of people who flock to the Durga Pujo festivities. The highly charged atmosphere that almost beckons you to be a part of it, live it, feel it and be one with the feeling.
I miss everything, but what I miss the most is the food stalls that mushroom up during this time. They sale everything from hinger kochuri, cholar dal and garam jalebi for breakfast; fuchka, bhelpuri, alukabli and chats to spice up the evenings, and finally pora goza and khirer singara to sign off for dessert; and everything else that defines the existing rainbow appearance that seems to clout the whole community during the pujo.
Yes! You guys have rightly guessed……I am a proud foodie.