Durga Puja

[Guest guest]

Ouch! At least 2 hours to then 2 hours from just to get out to Plymouth

WHitemarsh Highschool for Durga Ma it was definitely worth it!

 

It was really so hard to get there. At first I took the wrong train setting

me back an hour! I finally made it on Saturday at 1:30 or so in the

afternoon.

 

It was beautiful! They actually had a murthi flown in from Calcutta. It was

very large and depicted Durga Ma upon her lion trampling Mahishasura. She was

flanked on her right by Lakshmi, on her left by Saraswati, smaller and at her

lower right Ganesha, left Kartikkeya.

 

I was greeted by some friends from the organization Pragati-for local

Bengalis. Promila told me to eat or sit and said "some of the more reliogious

wouldlike to be closer to the image".....at which point I hurredly walked

over and sat in front of the beautiful goddess.

 

An extremely friendly Brahmin priest greeted me and started asking how I got

there. He noted the Kurta I was wearing and saw my Kali Ma pendant. "How did

you come to know the mother??"

 

I explained my vision of Kali years ago and he told me that I was very

blessed, then joked that I was more blessed than he was!

 

I had to control the urge to cry many times while looking at Durga. I could

only think of how years ago I had seen my Kali and now here I was looking

right back at her in this dazzling form. I could only feel as if I was

blessed myself.

 

There was certainly an energy radiating out from the image and I sat for at

least an hour or two just feeling blissful.

 

The Brahmins tinkered like happy children with there incense, scripture

reading and annoiting with water.

 

Periodically throught the day we gave Pushpanjali. This is an offering of

flowers Pushpa=flower Anjali=dedication. A few ladies would blow conch shells

while a bell was struck everybody gathered around and the basket of flowers

was passed so all could take one.

 

My new Brahmin friend guided me throught this. I held the flower in a praying

gesture while the people were led through a spoken Shloka. First the BRahmin

said a line then everyone repeated, similiar to a mass. After a break on the

Shloka we placed the flowers in another basket so they could be given the Ma

Durga slowly buiding a huge pilke of flowers. Some devotees not being able to

contain themselves throwing the flowers at her feet!

 

The went on about three periods of giving flowers then everyone would bow or

clasp there hands in prayer. I bowed each time fully and clasped my hands

drinking up as much of the great experience that I could.

 

There were about 3 Pushpanjalis and what happened in between?? Lots of

talking and great food! The Bengali food is great! This was largely a social

event as much as a puja. Many old friends greeting eachother and some

participating more then others.

 

The Brahmins worshipped the whole time, but the atmosphere was loose and for

of gaity.

 

First we got breakfast. Thenthe Prasad and lastly a wonderful dinner with

Gulab Jamuns for dessert.

 

Afterwards there was a cultural event in the auditorium with lots of dancing.

 

I made so many new friends! Old men talking to me about Indian history, a

youthful Shaivited explaing why the concepts of divinity differ amongst the

different regions and how they are worshipped reflects the people. Wonderful

conversations like a group of younger men asking me to describe my vision.

One of them tells me that Kali scares people becasue her worship is very much

associated with Tantra. He goes on about how certain things are for the

common people, but Tantra is very hard and for the few and that there are

adepts who meditate upon human corpses!

 

The Bengalis are a very intellectual and philosophically minded people who

seem generally proud of their culture. They are quick to assert that they

have produced the greatest poet Tagore, the greatest artists, musicians as

well as being very scientific.

 

I met a religions profeesor who talked with me for a long time. I was

introduced to a language teacher who is going to start teaching me Bengali

for free!

 

I left feeling like I made many new friends. A few strange looks at first,

but all I had to do was talk to anyone there and they immediately warmed up

to me once they saw the depth of my interest and founf out that I play tabla

as well.

 

They seemd very enthusiastic that I have chosen to live in Calcutta this year

studying with the Bauls as well who they highly respect. Several people took

my number and said they would help arrange contacts for me in Calcutta.

 

They have upcoiming Lakshmi and Kali pujas which I will surely attend. Many

were fascinated and joyed that I was a KAli Bhakta and this made me so happy.

I have met with all kinds of Indian people over the past few years.

 

I have talked with Vaishnavites, Brahmins for Tamil Nadu, I regularly vist a

Sikh Gurudwara for music lesson, but never do I bring up my intense love for

the Mother because so few can understand.

 

Imagine how I felt when these to older Bengali ladies are talking to me about

Kali and they find out I am vegetarian. One woman looks at the other and says

"He is a veryu good boy!" I couldn't believe it! They took my phone number so

I can hang out with their younger kids to leanr more about Bengali culture!

 

This is the right thing for me! I was sad that I didn't have money for a

donation for Sunday. I was walking to the train station and found $18 on the

ground. Of course I gave it all for the festival!! It was a gift from Durga

Ma!