As
August approaches, a bong’s heart starts skipping beats. It’s the anticipation
of the homecoming of Ma Durga.
October! and the air is filled with the sound of conch shells and dhaks, red sindoor or vermillion, Dhunuchi dance, foodies crowding the yummy food stalls, dance and song performances, and among all these, men and women presenting offerings to Maa Durga. Ma has arrived! Amongst the huge celebrations, un-missable is the red and white saree ‘laal pere sada saree’- the mark of Pujo. Red symbolizes fertility while white stands for purity. While the rest of the country is busy buying Navratri-specific traditional clothing, Bengali saree for Durga Pooja is the mesmerizing collection of Jamdanis, Tants, Kotkis, Baptas, Gichcha Silks, Kalka Mahapars, Benarashis (Or Benarasis), Linens, Tissues, Muga Silks, Mina work sarees, and the cross-overs. A lot of sarees!
The norm is to wear a new morning outfit another evening outfit, every five days of Durga puja, with matching jewelry and the whole paraphernalia around it. Pujo fashion is a class apart. Elegantly dressed in classy sarees and outfits women and girls flaunt their traditional attires with such aplomb. Be it eating puchka with friends or pandal hopping the bong babes never disappoint in fashion. Not only is self-dressing a big part of the shopping list, but gifting also contributes. Gifting sarees is considered auspicious. The women gift each of their near and dear ones sarees and get ominous blessings from elders and love from the younger ones. Every year the market is abuzz with new styles in festive sarees for the season.
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