As a Bengali who grew up in Mumbai, Durga Puja is always a festival I look forward to. The Durga Puja at Notunpalli Sarbojonin felt like home, thanks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Puja & Rituals
It was a blessing to get permission to witness the rituals up close, and I was thrilled to learn so many new things about the entire celebration of Durga Puja.
Dhaak
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn to the sound of the Dhaak and have tried capturing its rhythm combined with emotions. This time was special because not only did I get to capture it, but I also saw the members enjoying the beats, making it even more meaningful.
Bhog Bitoran
Dhunuchi Nach
Sindur Khela
The excitement had been building up throughout the festival, but nothing compared to the anticipation of capturing Sindur Khela, the vibrant ritual marking the final day of Durga Puja.
As I stood there, camera in hand, I could feel the energy in the air. Women dressed in red and white sarees were smiling, laughing, and covering each other with Sindur, their faces glowing with joy.
Immersion
The immersion was a different story altogether—emotionally heavier. As the Durga idol was carried for the immersion, the dhaak echoed, but this time, there was a quiet sadness mixed with reverence, people danced to the celebrations. I also watched people folded their hands, some with tears in their eyes, bidding farewell to the goddess they had welcomed with so much love.
Bidding adieu to Maa in tearful eyes, each frame felt like a celebration frozen in time—a joyous tribute to the goddess. The splashes of red sindur, the wide smiles, the shared laughter—it was a moment I had always dreamed of capturing.
Capturing these moments was both a privilege and a deeply moving experience. Every click of my camera felt like an attempt to hold onto the raw emotion of the farewell, knowing that Durga Ma would return next year, but this moment would never come again.
