SINDOOR UTSAV AT "COLORS MALAD WEST SARBOJONIN DURGOTSAV 2019"

Tanushree Dutta, Deepshikha Nagpal & Shweta Khanduri &Ishita Ganguly came today to the Durga Puja Pandal of Colors Malad West Sarbojonin Durgotsav 2019 by Maitree Cultural Association to seek Maa’s blessings.

Members along with Shweta Khanduri and Tanushree Dutta during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

The 5 days included celebration from Shasti to Bijoya Dashami along with many exciting activities like sit down Bhog, Anandamela - a food pop up where home chefs had put up tables, a cultural program organized by and for the underprivileged kids.

Shweta Khanduri during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

The theme of the 6th year of Durga Puja was- Roots & Wings - There are two lasting bequests we give children- One is roots and the other is Wings. Maitree Cultural Association has its mission to provide Roots to the generation next of the organization so that they grow into men and women with a sense of belonging to an extended family providing support to one another, and learning value systems that come about from sharing and caring as part of a community which does things together - Wings to fly and scale new heights in all aspects.

Ishita Ganguly felicitated by Rupa Roy during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

Maa's murti was 15 ft tall. This is one of the “Roots” part … it is traditional Ek Chala which literally translates to ‘under one roof’....the backdrop is unbroken and common from Ganesh to Kartik with Laxmi, Saraswati and Maa Durga in between. The idols are adorned in the very traditional Daaker Shaaj wherein the attire and ornaments and mukutis crafted out of the natural fiber, shola (Indian cork) into which metal embellishments and decorations are added.

Members during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

The pandal was divided into 2 sections- the cultural & bhog area and the Devi mandap. The lavishly decorated Devi Mandap was the “Wings”- more contemporary, airy, well illuminated to appear welcoming. A place where people can hang out and converse without being overpowered by décor. It was designed to be people friendly with an ambiance that exudes warmth.

Ishita Ganguly during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

The organisers take pride that thousands throng the puja pandal to partake in the bhog. Three days of unmatched, unflinching hospitality and service, one can vouch that the hospitality matches that of a wedding feast in terms of service and food.

Shweta Khanduri with Rupa Roy during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

While a couple of grownups keep an eye, the service is the domain of Maitree’s Youth Wing members, some of those who serve are as young as 6…and they do it well, fully in coordination with those just a little older to them. In addition, the puja team is led by ladies with the gentlemen playing a very supportive role.

Shweta Khanduri and Tanushree Datta during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

When asked, if the is associated with a noble cause, Shyamashish Bhattacharya (President of the Organization), Rupa Roy (General Secretary of the Organization) and Jayanta Chatterjee (Vice President) said "Yes, of course…and we do this throughout the year and not just as flavour of the season. We’ve distributed grains, diapers, medicines, toilette items to the inmates at Assisi Bhavan, the children of Athurta Foundation are constant beneficiaries from things they need (shoes, clothes, school bags, books) to what they want (soft toys, games, treats) they get them all. In fact they were the ones who inaugurated the Utsav. We planted plenty of trees in collaboration with the BMC during the rains this year. The Social Outreach Program is continuous and we have a calendar full of such events.”

Deepshikha Nagapl during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

MAHASHASHTI- On this day, Maa is welcomed with much fan fare.Evening will have Sandhya Aarati followed by Anandamela(which is a food pop up with home chefs will put up tables). Simultaneouslythere will be an inauguration with lighting of the lamp.

Deepshikha Nagpal during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

MAHASAPTAMI - Early morning is the beautiful Nabapatrika ceremonywhere the ladies take a banana plant to the pond for a bath and comes backdecked up as a bride.

Deepshikha Nagpal with Bibha Das during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA: Ashtami is considered as the most important day of Durga Puja by Bengalis. This is the day when special pujas like 'Astra Puja' and 'Sandhi Puja' are also carried out. For Atra Puja, Goddess Durga's weapons are worshiped. With the help of these ten weapons, she defeated the Mahishasura. The Sandhi puja is performed in the most auspicious juncture of Mahashtami and Navami. The Sandhi time falls when Ashtami ends and before the start Navami and lasts 48 mins during which the puja is carried out. 108 lamps are lit, 108 fully bloomed lotus flowers and 108 bell leaves are offered to the Goddess. It is believed that Durga is most powerful during the time Sandhi Puja is performed.

Ishita Ganguly during sindoor khela at Maitree Cultural Sarbojanin Durgostav MALAD

MAHA NAVAMI PUJA : Being the last day of worship before Visarjan, puja takes on an altogether special fervour. This is also the day when a symbolic sacrifice is offered and a Hom (havan) is done that day.

BIJOYA DASHAMI:- On this day Maa had defeated and killed Mahishashur.