I reached Bhubaneswar on the morning of Saptami. Mina Bhai and Nua Bou had stopped by early evening with Papa's birthday gift. Dada babu has become a handsome young man. Also Rama uncle had dropped in and it was wonderful to see him. He told me about his recent trip to Hawaai (and his experiences at Kawaii). Later, we went over to Uma Bhawan, Bapujinagar. Four families and three cars-we toured the entire city to check out puja pandals with elaborate themes. Though decorations in Bhubaneswar mandaps are historically not as grandiose and expensive as in Cuttack, over the years Durga Puja has also assumed grand proportions.From small celebrations to extravagant theme-based pandals, Durga Puja has come a long way in the city.
We all went to Kali Bari on Mahasthami and gave Pushpanjali. There I ran into my old friend, Satakhi. Was such a pleasure to see her after almost two decades. Later in the evening, we went to Durga Mandap. Over years, Masi used to organize the Sandhi puja. Now that she is no more, the legacy is being continued by Roni Dada. An integral and important part of Durga Puja, Sandhi Puja is performed at the juncture of the 8th and 9th lunar day. We helped out in the puja celebrations by lighting the 108 diyas (earthen lamps). I also went again later at midnight to Kalibadi for their Sandhi puja (interestingly Bengali and Jagannath calendar (panjikas) vary slightly with their timings). Anyway, the one at Kali Badi was powerful. The sound of Dhak and slokas filled the air and reverberated through the otherwise silent night. It felt like Deja vu, like going back in time to 20 years ago, when I was a kid and used to go to Kali bari with Masi, Mami and cousins. It reconnected me to my roots and reminded me that no matter what the present or future brings, the love and warmth of childhood will and should surpass all negativity if any. Nothing or noone should change me or my ideals or my faith in the good.
On the evening of Navami, we all set out again, this time to visit Cuttack. The silver city literally lives up to its name. Cuttack has always been recognized for its fine silver filigree works but its stunning Chandi Medha(silver Pandals) have become a huge crowd puller over the years.
In the morning of Dussehra, I went to Kaali Baadi for Visharjan. Then later we had a family get together at Bada mama's place. I was eating vegetarian for Navaratri and we usually break that abstinence on Dussehra. We were treated with the popular Mutton curry. Boudi and Rupali didi pampered us with their love and food. Later in the evening Papa and I walked over to the nearby playground where they were hosting the Ravan podi. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik lighted the 60 feet high effigy of Ravan. As far as my memory goes, this is probably the first one that I attended. There were fireworks afterwards and I have only one word for the experience-spectacular!!!
