Hola...
I am back after a small interval.The month of October is usually a busy month owing to multiple festivals and the aura surrounding it...We are Bengali's and we celebrate Durga Puja which mostly falls in the month of October. Hence October just flies in a flash.
This year it was a different experience to celebrate this festival remotely. Durga Puja follows age old customs and it involves quite a few rituals over three day long festivity. It is quite challenging to condense so many rituals and perform taking alternate route. We all are currently living in a strange world right now and gradually we are evolving in this new way of living.
I am sure the Goddess doesn't distress over the fact as to how we worship her. It can be remotely, publicly, privately or if nothing happily. She needs undivided devotion, faith and would care less how and where we offer her. While rituals binds us together, faith keeps us going. I am sure this year we have prayed extra hard to get rid of this virus surrounding us.
This year, there were restricted temple visits, no new clothes, marginal photos and bounded food menu. Bengali's indulge on food especially sweets during this time of the year but this year it was controlled and contained...We made ourselves and had them all by ourselves. Growing up we always exchanged food amongst our neighbors and even relatives visiting us would carry any food item especially sweets. The aftertaste of sweets weren't sweet this year. Families couldn't reunite which is one of the biggest highlight of any festival. Sweets, sari, food everything wore a forlorn look.
The end of the coming week marks another festival Diwali. We all like to illuminate our homes and hearts with lights. This festival has so much warmth that it can instantly brighten up anyones mind. While we gear up to light our homes, let pray for the ones who wont be able to celebrate owing difficult times and situations. May the glow and warmth of this festival eradicate the virus from our lives and minds and bring the smile back. Enjoy the festival with sweets and savories without forgetting the world around us. Its a painful world but lets add more smile and sensitivity. Happy Diwali!
