A season well known for nine days of thanks giving to the most powerful Goddess who slew the demons and brought peace in world. Our country most awaited Durga Puja Festival season.
The festive days are well spent like vacation, family get together, full of sound and music events , cities filled with colourful lights and not to forget the cheerful spending of bonus on discounts,sales & offers. This period of time is enjoyed by all age groups with the spread of activities full of happiness and Dharmiktas. Some celebrate with family in worshipping Goddess with complete devotion, some consider this time for relaxation and some completely utilize this time to make money in the name of events and business.
The nine days celebration i.e Navratri is famous all over India.The illuminating diyas, the different types of pakwans , new dresses , unwrapping of gifts with curious expectations ,smiles on everyone face and togetherness among groups is well seen everywhere. Even if the way of celebrating differs because of demographic and cultural factors still shower of blessing and love of Maa Durga remains same for everyone.
No doubt in it that the trend changes with change in generation, the idea of celebration of Navratri in the time of our Great Grandfather is not indeed same with the idea of celebration the of current generation/youth.
One thing Grandmothers are very good at is ‘sweet taunts’ with a smile and message. When Grandmother is asked about how they used to celebrate maa Durga festival-she said, "Festival time in our days was something different; whole family, kith and kins gather at native and stays together for nine days, playing card games, fighting and shouting among themselves on games, food for all was cooked in one kitchen and all eat together after first offering of food is made to Goddess as Prasad. Different types of homemade recipes and sweets were prepared and served, the concept of buying sweets and chocolates were not there from retail stores in those days but still all enjoyed the home made fresh sweets
Relatives were invited for dinners. In the last three days of Navratri , i.e Astami and Navami and Dasami, grand dinners with relatives and guests were arranged. If anyone fails to reach their own native in the festive time then everyone misses him /her and he/she themselves regret for not able to catch up with their joint family”.
Listening to Granny about her days, how can one not ask her about what all changes she finds now a days in the way the current generation celebrate the Festival. And no doubt Grandmother have to say a lot of things with a taunting smile, as they have seen the changes and she speaks, "Now if I Ask a youth about Maa Durga Puja festival, they will start talking about different shopping malls and start comparing which mall have more discount options.The major focus now a days Which hotel or event organizers have best Dandia arrangements.. kids now says that Gifting ladoos and fresh fruits to relatives is so outdated, they only like packed dry fruits and cold drinks.. Getting together with whole family concept have almost ended. The wishes over mobile phone calls have become more important than wishing each other in person.Instead of worshipping Maa Durga with family in one own humble house, they prefer to visit pandals where music will be high and they try to find blessings from Maa Durga calling ‘Jai mata di' loudly and the rest prefer to check with so called travel agents for better discounted travel packages for visiting foreign countries. But yes, the theme is same, the lights and music is same, blessing of Maa Durga is same on everyone… It’s just that the way of celebration have changed.. Everything changes and all say change is for good but hope the approach of nuclear family concept doesn’t make the thread of togetherness thinner ..." And ending her talks she finally smiled with blessings and that was beautiful.
Jai Mata Di :)
