A year ago today, I was sitting at a table in the Erreckson Middle School cafeteria, wearing the prettiest pink sari I had ever seen. Eating a wide assortment of foods and overall having the time of my life surrounded by my culture. Because of COVID-19 though, I don’t think there will be an opportunity to experience that again. I’m glad I at least had last year to go; I made so many new friends and got to be closer to my culture. Not to mention I learned more about Durga Maa and why she is so special. Durga Puja is a major festival of Hinduism and is traditionally held for 10 days from September to October, also known as the month of Ashvina, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated in the eastern Indian states, especially Bengal and Assam. The puja celebrates Durga, the goddess of war, and her victory over the demon king Mahishasura. 

There are different experiences I have had when celebrating this. But the closest fusion I’ve had of my experience celebrating it in America and India is 2019’s puja. Although this is traditionally a married woman’s custom, all the women smeared sindoor, a red vermillion powder, all over each other’s faces. In no particular order of events, people pray in front of the Durga idol and offer flowers, prasad (vegetarian foods and sweets), stay for concerts by people from India (typically, well-known singers), eat lots of food, watch cultural performances which range from singing to dancing, to acting! On Bijoya, it is more celebratory of Durga’s victory over the demon king. On that day, we spend less time praying and more time celebrating by dancing and being closer to our friends and families.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: what do you eat there? There is a wide variety of foods you eat. Typically there will be fish, tomato chutneys, rice, rotis, kichhudi, posto, ghugni, lucchi, shrimp, sandesh, daals, rasgulla, and more!

I love the happy environment that the celebration brings. It feels different from other pujas and I feel like all of the people attending always make new friends and amazing memories.