Autumn curls in…
Curls into our senses…
With the breeze turning more breezy, and the sky turning more blue…
It curls into our senses like the upward curve of a smile….

Yet, it is  perhaps with the day that we celebrate the God of Engineering and Mechanics, the day we fly kites into the blueness of the sky, that we get the first whiff of dhuno ( frankincense) of the season…
And the madness starts…every year
The Autum Festival of Bengal..is unparalleled
Saradotsav!
Durga Puja!

Yes, it is the worship of the Mother Goddess,  an incarnation of Shakti…
And She comes home.
To her parents house really.
Along with her children
To be pampered and loved.
After fighting with her husband.

Its the season of homecoming.
Along with the the Devi or Mother Goddess, the divas on earth also come home, back  to their parents house, in an annual homecoming ceremony.
So do the men who live outside Bengal.
So do students.
This is the time to touch base with what made you, who you are, and what you will become.
Its the annual touchdown to base time.
To gather the kaash and shiuli in your hands. Or inhale the heady aroma of the mutton cutlet and fish fry that you grew up with.

There is much more to Durga Puja than Durga Puja.
The planning starts months ahead.
At a macro level it is an industry.
Planning for the Pandal, the temporary edifices that come up , each a wonder in itself. The artwork and the light work and the sculpture of the  Devi pratima ( idol)
Prizes to be won, best Pandal, best idol, best lighting
And then there are the accessories
The Souvenirs,  the sponsorships, the cultural events . All planned to meticulous details.
At the micro level it is a celebration
For each individual
Resulting in a wave of revelry.

Those, who are out of town plan the tickets and itinerary.
Those who are here plan the itinerary and the welcome agenda
But everybody shops
Till they drop
And they shop everything.
Clothes, accessories,  jewelry,  shoes, electronics,  books, home decor. items
Its shopping mania time
Gifts to give
Gifts to receive.
A new outfit for each day of the Puja.
A new outfit to sit for the ritual
A new one to go pandal hopping in
A new one to show off to your girlfriends
The young count the numbers and show off to their friends
The older lot lose count of trying to manage budget and deals.

And so Autumn spreads itself within us..
In headiness.
It comes up with the bamboos tied together to create the temporary temple
It takes shape through the artisan’s hands making the Devi Pratima at Kumartuli and other Artisan hubs
It jostles into place amidst the rush of shoppers at Gariahat and New Market
And through the telephonic affirmation between families separated by continents..
That yes they are coming…
They are coming home.

Note : all images from the internet