Durga Pujo for Bengalis all over the world is new clothes on each of the five days and eating out every day. No matter how busy you are, a Bengali will take leave from work and break from daily activities for the Durga Pujo, particularly on Ashtomi which is the most auspicious day.
What's the puja calendar?
Durga Pujo begins on the fifth day of Navratri, essentially from Shoshti, with a special “uuthbodhon” aarti unveiling the idol of Ma Durga.
I've been in Mumbai since my childhood. Most Bengalis enjoy pandal hopping. The first stop is usually the Ramakrishna Mission in Khar, where swamijis have a unique way of welcoming Ma Durga – you feel like she is alive.
On aushtomi, we have “kumari pujo”, during which a little girl is adorned in bridal finery for a special prayer. It's sometimes quite funny as the little one will fall asleep during the puja.
When to wish Happy Dusshera?
The fifth day is the time to bid adieu to Durga. In the morning of Doshomi (Dusshera), every married Bengali will visit the pandal for "shidoor khela", to offer sindoor at the feet of Durga and then smear it on each other in Holi style.
After the final aarti the idol is carried to the sea amid blowing of conchs and shouts of “bolo, bolo Durga Mai ki joi”. Only after the visarjan will Bengalis wish each other Shubho Bijoya, that is a Happy Dusshera.
Youngsters will touch the feet of elders. People will collect some water from the sea (shanti jol) to sprinkle at home. Perhaps the best place to witness visarjan is Juhu beach.
No fasting, but feasting
Over the five days, you will find a special menu each day at each of the pandals. Khichuri, labra (mixed vegetables), bhajiyas, kheer and roshogollas. There's no lunch at home on the five days.
Previously, it was simply khichuri. But with affluence has come variety. The organisers are also influenced by the comparisons people make, spiced by gossip, like the mustard sauce on the fish fries.
Bring out the bala, pasha
Bengalis are dressed in their best on these days. Traditional gold jewelry like the bala (typical bangle) and pasha (rounded earrings) come out of the lockers.
The dress is sarees, called dhakai, taanth, baluchori. You will find women in “gorod”, the typical white saree with a red border at the morning puja.
(The 52-year-old writer and professor of brands and communication studies talked to Preksha Malu.)
Big pujo places in Mumbai
Ramakrishna Mission, Khar
Lokhandwala Durga Puja, Andheri
DN Nagar, Andheri
Tulip Star, Juhu
Shivaji Park, Dadar