kalipuja Sharmishtha Basu 2017
Dhanteras
The story Dhanteras has a very cute story, not totally cute, naughty cute sort of story. Lord Vishnu is Goddess Laxmi s spouse, they live in Vaikuntha, once when Lord Vishnu was visiting earth Goddess Laxmi came with him, he gave her two instructions- Don t look southwards. Don t take anything from earth, in any form- food, drink. Well, Mother Goddess Laxmi is restless by nature, so, while Lord Vishnu was busy with his own tasks she looked southwards, of course! Then she noticed a mustard field filled with yellow flowers, she went and picked up a few to adorn herself, next she tasted some sugarcanes and right at that moment Vishnu returned. Furious he cursed her that she will spend 14 years in earth in the home of the poorest of poor Brahmin. He left after handing Goddess Laxmi to that Brahmin. The minute Goddess of wealth entered his threshold he became rich. Now, when Vishnu came to claim his wife he bluntly refused. He knew very well that all his wealth was because of Goddess Laxmi. Lord Vishnu tried and tried but he was adamant, finally Goddess Laxmi told the Brahmin who she actually was and why he will have to let her go. When she noticed the sad look on the face of that fellow she promised that she will return on every Dhanteras- (if you count the moonless night, amavasya as 15 th then Dhanteras will fall on 13 th ). Every Dhanteras She visited him and blessed him, his neighbours picked up his habits of decorating their homes and offering the Goddess sweets, incense sticks and of course candles. It is one of the most auspicious dates of Hindu calendars. Story source: Drikpanchang.com
Bhoot Chaturdashi aka Hindu Halloween
The story Mother Goddess Kali is Lord Shiva s wife. Lord Shiva spends most of his time in burning ghats, thus all ghosts and spiritual beings are his ardent follower. Maybe that is why Bengalis firmly believe that the night before Kalipuja is night of ghosts. At dusk candles (earthen or wax) are lit at doorsteps and other exits/entrances of home to scare the ghosts away. Sadly though no candies are exchanged, instead of that, the kids of Bengal are manipulated into eating leafy vegetables of 14 types. Adults sometimes eat them, mostly don t!
Ma Kali She is beautiful, is not she?
Kalipuja 19.10.17 Happy Kalipuja!
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Bhaiphonta sweets
2 This is what I gave my brother on Bhaiphonta.
3 His gift- this and chocolates!
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The story Just like I promised I will post the Kalipuja post after kalipuja with the stories of Kalipuja @ Haridevpur, where I live. This year it rained all through the Kalipuja, stopped only after the Goddess was immersed. After that it was all sunshine! The interesting thing is, I don t remember ever seeing rain during Kalipuja, in all these years. This is the first time I have seen so much rain during Kalipuja and then it stopped abruptly too, just like it started out of the blues! Well most probably Mother Goddess Kali wanted to save us from sound demon! You know you can t burst crackers if it is pouring! Period! But they settled scores and the crackers went Kaboom for next four days! Well Kalipuja is much enjoyed by me even after I had to bid goodbye to Kamalpur because I love decorating the house with candles, earthen lamps especially, that we can mostly manage, no matter where we live! Bhaiphonta is the day of brothers and sisters. Mostly of brothers though, sisters love to pamper their brothers on this day! I don t know if it has some religious angle, if there is, I will share with you when I know that! All I know is it is one of the most popular festivals of Bengal! Sisters paint phonta, tilak, tika on the forehead of their brothers and treat them with sweets! That mostly extends to lunch and/or dinner too. Quite lavish ones mostly! Gifts are exchanged but not allowed in my family. I only accept gift from Shaunak. Poor fellow! Try to give him too, come on! I was not always unemployed! Mostly this festival is all about the beautiful bonding that brothers and sisters can have! WISH YOU ALL A PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL TIME AHEAD!