On the seventh month of Bengali calendar, that is Aswin Mash, Durga Pujo is held. That means September - October. Mostly at the end of September or at the beginning of October the Pujo is held. Durga Pujo starts from the day of Mahalaya, it's said that from that day Pitri Pokhyer sesh and Debi Pokhyer Suru. Which means the Era of Father ends and Goddess era starts. And officially the celebration starts from the sixth day, that means Sasthi. And ends on the 10th Day, that means Dashami. Images of the goddess—astride a lion, attacking the demon king Mahishasura—are placed at various pandals (elaborately decorated bamboo structures and galleries) and temples. So it's a 5 days celebrations for Bengalis, but 9 day celebration for the rest of the country as Navaratri is being celebrated from the day of Mahalaya. So it's not only Bengalis' most awaited festival, it's also the Biggest festival for the whole country. And not only Hindus but the other religions also take part of this.
We Bengalis celebrate Durga Pujo as our biggest festival by buying new dresses, distributing cloths among friends, relatives and needy people. And food takes a major part during Durga Pujo. The 6th and 8th day that means Sasthi & Astami should be Veg menu for most of us, at least for Lunch. But other 3 days non-veg is must. In most of the families, Mothers usually don't eat rice on Sasthi, luchi/sabudana/millet have been consumed for the sake of their child. And Astami lunch must be with Khichuri bhoj, labda, beguni, chatni & payesh. Let's prepare a list of the food we usually have during Durga Pujo.
Let's start from Sasthi :
Mothers who celebrate Sasthi, don't have anything before Sasthi Pujo, but others can have porota or luchi for breakfast. And we prefer to eat veg on that day, wear light cotton saree or salwar/T-shirt trousers actually the least preferred pujo dress. So here are the list for Sasthi Lunch Menu.
On this day, we usually prefer pandal hopping and having lots of outside fast-food, like Roll, chowmein, fish fry, egg devil accompanied with masala chai.
And for dressing up, we girls prefer easy to handle dresses like designer kurti/salwa
Now the most awaited day comes after Saptami, don't know why Astami always been very special to everyone. We prefer to wear the best dress on that day. Girls, who have never touched a sari, prefer to wear her mother's sari in ameture style. And boys always looks good in Punjabi Pajama or dhuti. And most of us don't eat anything before Puspanjali. We have no problem standing in a long que for our turn for Puspanjali. We actually don't understand all the chants and mantras, just repeat the wrong Sanskrit words after purohit moshai. And after Puspanjali, Phol misti we have. And lunch usually organized by parar pujo committee, and we all enjoy the pujor bhog
Now it's heart breaking day, as after Nabami night Ma Durga will return to her husband Shiva to Kailash. So we try to enjoy our best on that day. No limit for food and masti. We try to enjoy as much as possible, as this is the last night of celebration.
On Nabami Dhunuchi Nach is must on the beat of Dhak. This Dhunuchi dance goes to a competition level. And we girls prefer jamdani or traditional sari and boys prefer dhuti punjabi for the special evening.
And here comes the final day, when we have to say adios to our Goddess Durga with tearful eyes. Yes Doshomi is here, after the sun sets, when amid loud chants and drumbeats, idols are carried in huge processions to local rivers, where they are immersed. That custom is symbolic of the departure of the deity to her home and to her husband, Shiva, in the Himalayas.
So we try to hide our sorrow by eating well and greeting other with sweets and snacks. On this special day, Mutton is a must item for lunch. Usually Spicy Mutton runny curry aka Mangsher Jhol is served along with the other item.
So I would like to share my Bengali Non-veg thali for this special day.
And after Bishorjon youngers come to visit elders' house, the younger touch the elders' feet and have their blessings. And the elders greet each other by hugging, which is called 'Kolakuli' in Bengali.
And we prepare for the guests who comes to pronam the elders :
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