The festive season is in full spirits. It's the Navratri festival- the celebration of nine nights ("nav ratri"). In Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshiped. Goddess in Her nine forms, nine colors is beleived to be pleased. This festival is the main festival of Bengalis and Gujaratis. But the country has such diverse populations spread across its states, that major festivals are celebrated across the nation with equal zest.
The pandals (place covered with roof, in this context where the idol is placed) for the puja are lavishly decorated. Different pandals usually have a similar kind of decor until some theme for decoration is followed. The alleys in which pandals are made are often full of huge hoardings advertising some local business, small vendors selling their hand-made materials or unique business ideas, and needless to say huge crowds of people.
Its a chaos. There are traffic woes. Pick-pockets have a gala time. Chain snatchers are moving around unnoticed. Old people are often hit while walking. Mothers have difficulty moving around with the kids. But still people go to pray to the idol of Goddess Durga. They stand in queue for hours to get the darshan (glimpse of the idol). Kids, mothers, old people, disabled humans- all come to Her. Its this spirit that makes the festival holy. They all are bound by some faith. They respect the shaktis (powers) of women and believe, superstitiously, to some extent in Her mercy.
I too went with my daughter. Brought some useful household stuff which you get cheap in the fete stalls. Saw the idol from a lengthy distance. Closed my eyes. Smiled by heart. And moved with the pushing crowds.
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