Durga Puja in Perth

It is that time of the year when people wear their most favorite traditional costumes, girls wear their sarees or salwars, and guys wear their kurtas. All shiny and shimmering and each one trying to outdress the other. Aunties take out their jewelery from their lockers, uncles wear their best colognes, and little children just want to have fun. With that same essence of Puja, filling the air and hearts of the people. For me, this is one of those celebrations that i would rather not miss, and would go to every year. As this is a religious ceremony, people come here to pray and give their respects to Maa Durga. This is actually a nine day festival, but the bengali's start the celebration from the sixth day onwards.
Each day has a special name, Shasti, Shaptami, Oshtami, Nabami and Dashomi. Here in Perth, it is celebrated in two days this time, better than the one day celebration that took place last year.


The whole day starts with a different perspective when you know that you are going to Durga Puja, the morning suddenly becomes so beautiful even if it is gloomy and rainy, happy thoughts are automatically forced into your head and what makes it even better is going to Durga Puja with friends. Its as if nothing can go wrong.

There are the usual ceremonial formalities, anjali's , pushpanjali's and many other religious formalties. These can take anything from minutes to hours, which is the main purpose of puja, to pray to Goddess Durga. And for some people, an hour of puja, seems too long. But this is what makes Durga Puja more interesting, getting to see the reaction of other people, and the little fights and grudges that people sometimes create. The drama, the shouts, spills on the floor, the little children running around. This is what makes Durga Puja exciting.

Then when it comes to that time of the day, when the appetites are calling, the food is brought out, and everyone rushes to get to the front of the line. The food can be smelt from far away, attracting people towards it and reminding them that it is time to eat. Served fresh and hot, the food tastes extra good, as we sit down on plastic chairs and eat our servings. Bengal is known for its sweets,and whats a Puja without some bengali sweets, sweet juicy Rasogola's were being served with some beautiful smooth mishti doi. A combination that would make your tastes buds ask for more.

Heading back home and getting some sleep to get ready to come back in the evening. Its a habit that after a meal, sleep is sure to follow.

The evening gets more beautiful, people change into new dresses , looking more glamorous than usual. Heading to the Puja hall, with that same feeling of excitement in the morning.

There are some prayers and some cultural performances by children and adults. Children showing off their singing and instrumental talents,quite entertaining in a cute kind of way.Reminds me of all the things we had to do during Puja, from dramas to poetry telling.

At the end of the night, there is a special performance, known as the Dunuchi Naach which is always done at Durga Puja, its a dance done infront of Durga Puja where men and women dance with a burning ceramic vessel in their hands and dance in various movements. Well , this dance has evolved from time to time, and some modern dance steps have been included in this ritual. Can be quite entertaining and impressive. Everyone can join in the dance, something like a end of night performance. Which ends the Durga Puja in a happy note.

Today is bijoy dashami,

Wishing everyone


Subho Bijoya











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