Aasche bochchor aabar hobe!

Well, Durga Poojo came and has already gone this year.

What was the same was that my parents - as they have been doing for the last 4-5 years now - left the city during this time. What this translates to is unimaginable stress for a lazy bum like me - the stresses of waking early to fill the water, letting in/out the maids, figuring out what to eat AND what to feed my brother, getting even less sleep than I already do...in short, responsibilities I am so not used to couple with the whole dressing up and walking miles from pandal to pandal...and all the while battling crrrrazy crowds!

What was different - and I still can't put my finger on what the HELL happened there - was that this year I felt what can best be described as a surge of emotions (mixture of pride, fondness, and sheer sentiment) whenever I was near the traditional celebration sights, sounds, and smells this year.

The sights - the beautiful idols and the ladies that congregate around her to perform all the rites and rituals and everyone big and small in their new-clothes-finery and beaming smiles.

The sounds - the special drum called 'dhak' which is the trademark durga pooja sound played by specialist drummers referred to as 'dhakis'

The smells - the holy smoke - coconut hair burning with an incense like powder in an earthen hand held pot that vaguely looks like a very very fat wine glass. This is called 'dhunuchi' and of course the street side vendors serving the best of food - as oily, greasy, and over priced as ever - but nonetheless adding to the spirit!

I am still vaguely hung over with all of it and then some more...my feet are still officially dead and my heart still beats to the dhak...

sighhhh.