Ganga Matters - Should we allow Puja idols to be immersed in Ganges

Durga Puja immersion

Its time we listen to the health of our city's lifeline. For many a trip to the bashan-dance while following the Durga Puja immersion procession might be a highlight of Durga Puja celebrations, but the Ganga is definitely taking a lot of blows due to immersion of Goddess Durga. While people might be divided on this count, no one shall deny the concern everyone has for the health of the waters of Ganga. Here's Durga Puja Curry's prescription for saving Ganga while remaining true to the fervour of Durga Puja celebrations:

1. Go for symbolic immersion of the Idols in the Ganga water rather than actual immersion in open river water as that causes massive pollution.
2. Allow the idols to be treated before they are immersed in running water.
3. Sensitise people not to throw away Puja leftovers and other religious items into the water.
4. Invite all Puja committee members to go for permanent idols so that idols need not be changed each year. That way we shall have no reason for immersion.

Durga Puja Curry supports joyous celebration and equally believes in protecting Maa Ganga. Save the river before it might be too late. Share this message for a greener and better Durga Puja.

Arihant Bhandawat

Lost in translation of Modern World - Lost Durga Puja Fun and Tradition

Traditions and Fun Lost in Modern Durga Puja Celebrations

Much has changed over the years in Durga Puja celebrations - for starters my jeans has, along with the my outlook for the person who used to wear the old jeans (that's me ofcourse)

• The purists grouse about the loss of the dedication for the pious celebrations of the Pujas.
• The early modernists complain about the loss of romance in these times.
• The young and hippy have gripe regarding the lack of more modern touch to Durga Puja celebrations.

What has been lost in translation - Even the Goddess might be puzzled on the number of changes that are coming her way. Check this one out.

Vijay Dashami and the Battle within us!

As the curtains come down on the Durga Puja, 2012 we celebrate the victory of the Goddess over Mahisasur. This event marks the end of the evil forces and fulfillment of the divine intervention for which the Goddess was born.

This  day which is celebrated across India for various customs has a special tone for the Indian society in the present times. As a society we have been fighting a lot of Mahisasur-ian styled evils that have become a bane for the societal and human progress. These seemingly insurmountable issues crop their ugly head every now and then with glaring regularity, threatening to gobble-up our existence. We require something special to get rid of the Mahisasur of the present times. The present evil one does not recide in an individual but in a system - a system where we all are active partners. We require the Divine Goddess in each one of us.

The question is - do we have the will power to allow the Goddess to create an abode in our mind and soul to cleanse the system within us or are we weak and waiting for the never coming divine intervention?

Divinity is within us - The Goddess in within us - What are we waiting for?

New Marketing Lesson - Religion in the times of Consumerism!!

Marketing lessons from religious festivals

The season of festivals brings more cheer to the marketers than perhaps to the followers of various Gods and Goddesses of India.

In a world where one of the oft-repeated tagline of an upcoming online brand is "Yahaan sab kuch bikta hai", religion is often marketed and sold as product. Take the case of Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal - What was earlier revered as community gathering meant for joyous and pious bonding of para-people, has now been invaded by corporate pujas that flaunt budgets in millions of Indian currency.

Sample this - you walk into a Puja pandal which is tagged with "majbooti ki guarantee" of a leading cement brand. While you rustle past the pandal line and make inside the pandal structure you might be inundated with ads like the bright lighting of the pandal brought to you by - "Fair n light - creating a brighter you" or the decoration of the idol shall be adorned with a jewellery brand's ad - "Divinity - that's you".  The time is not far, when perhaps all the  aspects of religious activities shall be sponsored by various marketers.

Religion is the new drive for consumerism

When the consumers are looking for a reason to splurge their income on latest trends, the idea of religion takes a new turn where consumerism becomes the new religion. Care should be given to protect the place of religious beliefs in the coming times!! And that shall depend on you. 

Divine-Inflation!!! OMG - even the Gods are not spared!!

 Inflation - a bridge between the earth and the Heaven

This might be the least of all worries of the RBI Governor, but inflation has now taken a heavenly turn. Guess, who's the latest victim of Inflaaation ? Durga Maa, who has to bear this burden together with Her followers. Inflation has a unifying factor between the Gods and followers and a bridge between the earth and the Heaven.

 Divine-inflation

Ever wondered what's the impact of Divine-inflation - check this out. I happen to read  an article (on http://www.hindu-blog.com) which suitably brought a strange and unique revelation about Durga Puja celebrations. The cost of Durga Puja celebrations of Kashmere Gate Puja in New Delhi was mind-numbing figure of just Rs. 825/- in the year 1990 while the budget of the same pandal in 2012  shall easily crosses over 2 million of Indian rupees. Even, the Gods have to dole out HUGE amount of extra bucks for the same services!! That's what we call as DIVINE-INFLATION :-)!!  

How has the Divine-inflation hit? Share with us - may be Gods might finally listen (as the RBI people aren't)

Mahisasur of 2012 - who shall it be??

It shall be interesting to understand who shall be the Mahisasur of the present times. If Maa Durga is to kill anyone in the current scenario, who shall closely resemble Mahisasur?

Shall it be:
a) Corruption
b) Unemployment
c) Inflation
d) Slowdown

(Hint: Please do not ask Obama - he shall reply "OUTSOURCING")

While Maa Durga descends upon the earth during the Pujas , it shall be worth thinking about, what would you like the Goddess to get rid of. 

Meet Maa Durga's Family!!

The most adored and worshipped deity of Bengal, Maa Durga's family comprises two daughters and two sons. The daughters of Goddess Durga are the Goddess of learning, Maa Saraswati and the Goddess of wealth, Maa Lakshmi. It is therefore, considered that Maa Durga brings great knowledge, wisdom and prosperity when She visits to any home. The sons of Maa Durga are - Lord Kartik, known for his courage and Lord Ganesha, worshipped as the initiator of good work.

This makes for one big happy family of Maa Durga!

So, when you catch-up with Maa Durga during your pandal hopping journeys across Kolkata Durga Puja celebrations do make sure to even worship the family members of Maa Durga.

"What does Durga Puja mean for the Mango People?" - For an Idol maker!!

Starting Mahalaya we shall see what Durga Puja means for many of the "Mango people" - common ordinary who create extraordinary moments for us!

The Idol Maker is truly the man who works behind the scenes to create scenes of joys that we popularly enjoy during the Pujas. The toil and work put by the anonymous idol maker is truly spectacular.

O, anonymous toiler,
who makes you,
What's your Idol?
Who's your maker?
If you make the Maker (Goddess)? Who makes you?

It's a very pertinent question. An idol maker is the unsung hero of the Durga Puja celebrations.What he carves out of the Ganga mitti (soil), is ultimately what we worship.

The real issue then is, are we respecting and idolising the Idol Maker?




The condition of the Idol makers certainly desires much to be changed. Durga Puja Curry supports the cause for improvement of the conditions of the Idol Maker. Do you?

I want to get my work done before the Government office closes for 10-days

Well, that's correct the state government employees shall be officially on holiday for TEEEEEENNNN (10) days from 20th October to 29th October. The state government has declared 26th Oct as holiday to create a 10-day holiday carnival to employees. So, head for the government office to get your work done before they put up an unwritten signboard - "Office closed for Puja Holidays"!

A lot of government work shall come to standstill till the Goddess Durga is bid goodbye and we celebrate the Lakshmi Puja on 29th October!

Do you think it was a correct decision of the government to officially close on 26th Oct (Friday) to allow a straight ten-day holiday? Or, do you think that the employees might not have turned up for work anyways, taking the Casual leave route? 

It would a great Puja for the state employees for sure!

Goddess of Bengal Govt. (Mamata Banerjee) gives Employees more time for Goddess Durga

The reigning deity of Writer's Building has given given employees a new Puja gift. She has declared October 26th as a holiday, which shall allow the employees to take automatic 10-day Puja holidays without availing any casual leave. That's makes for great Puja gift for the state government employees from Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee!

Some might may it was not wise move considering that Mamata Banerjee has been making a loud-bid to improve work culture in West Bengal. The jury of this decision (that is you) might still take time to think on this "heavenly matter", yet the employees of the government seem to be in a jubilant mode. "Ekta daroon Pujo" - is what they are looking for!!

Pujo shoppers in Esplanade and Park Street sing the classic Nursery rhyme - "Rain Rain Go away, Come again another day" :-)

The favourite haunts of Park Street and Esplanade are all decked up. The Pujo "kenkati" had been on the rise and then we have the weather Gods playing the spoilsport! A watery beginning to Durga Puja, 2012 celebrations. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the Gods do not press the "release water button" during the Pujo days.

Happy Puja days ahead!!!

Durga Puja 2012: Rains spoiling the shopping or adding to the Romance of the Puja celebrations.

In the run-up to Durga Puja, when you are in for last minute “kenakati” and “darun offers” you might be greeted with dark overcast Kolkatan skies. Very well, the weather Gods has been showering their blessings on the shoppers as they load their wardrobes to usher in Kolkata Durga Puja 2012, so what! We shall shop till we drop! That’s the mantra for “Pujo shopping”.

While some of you might be delighted with the drop in the mercury readings, others might be ruing the loss of shopping enjoyment. Whatever might be your take, you can be assured for some amazing Durga Puja celebrations in 2012.

Are the weather Gods playing spoilsport to your Durga Puja 2012 shopping  plans? Or, do you welcome the mesmerizingly overcast Kolkatan skies as your await the Durga Puja celebrations to get underway? Let us know your views!

We believe it’s a mix of both – one hand we wish for a dry spell for putting finishing touches to our shopping while, we do not mind the rain as long as the overhead tankers of the weather Gods does not spill over during Saptami to Dashami. So, let the Durga Puja celebrations begin in true Kolkatan ishtyle.