Shop! – It’s Durga Puja

Durga Puja lies at the heart of all celebrations that the Bengali community across the world is known for. Spot a person anywhere in the world all dressed up in the ‘laal paar shada shari’ with a big red bindi on her forehead and you can, almost without doubt ascribe her to be a true-blue Bengali! Ask her how in the middle of London she managed to scour out a traditional Bengali saree and she’ll tell you that she had her relatives back in Kolkata send it over. ‘Why take all the trouble?’ you ask, and she’ll make an incredulous face and stare at you! It’s because if you are pally with anyone slightly Bengali, you’re supposed to know that whatever lengths and breadths you may have to take recourse to, in order to achieve that ‘perfect pujo look’ is worth its while. Such are the extended implications of Durga Puja.

This is one time of the year, when all Bengalis, whether they be 4 or 40, vie each other to look their best. The tradition of Durga Puja is synonymous with the tradition of wearing ‘notun jama’ (new clothes). During these 5 days Bengalis all over the world celebrate not only with all heart and vigour but also shun all inhibitions and dress up to look their unencumbered best!

Marketplaces I Kolkata and elsewhere in Bengal are flooded with a sea of people. At every nook and corner you will find men and women alike shopping for sarees, salwars, western wear, jewellery and accessories. Somewhere a woman is striving hard to match the exact shade of red of her saree to a perfect blouse piece, while somewhere else a teenager is bargaining hard to get the perfect deal for the set of bangles that go seamlessly with her salwar suit, while elsewhere a distraught looking man is accompanying his wife and daughter to the mall to finish the family puja shopping! Traders also bank on this season for huge sale numbers, and perceptively promote huge discounts to draw shoppers. Online stores come to the rescue of those who cannot take much time out to throng the streets of New Market or Gariahat.

While the tradition of wearing new clothes starts right from Sashti, it is Ashtami and Nabami that people reserve the best of their new dresses for. While many prefer to go ethnic on these two days, others stick to flaunting their curves, with select Western wear.  Whatever be the flavour of the season if you want to see a city of decked up people, Kolkata is where you ought to be during the time Bengal’s favourite daughter comes home!