It took me one and a half year to write and publish my first blog, I thought as I curled up in our couch and stared out of the window. The Angel in me woke up and said,"If you sit in this couch for half an hour more your next blog may take even longer." The Devil in me countered," What's the hurry sweetheart! You still have plenty of time." I sat straight, as the arguments went on inside my head. I suddenly realised this is actually more difficult than solving maths problems or mugging up history and geography or understanding theories of physics and chemistry. School was so much fun! If only we realise it when we go to school...! Life was so simple. I curled up even more feeling lazier than ever. Now nobody can make me write except Ma Saraswati ( goddess of learning). Well guess what? Today is Saraswati Puja. The memories of Saraswati Puja made me smile. Oh what fun we used to have on that day! my mind traveled back to those days as I stared out of the window, pen in hand...

It was the day we could wear Ma's lovely sarees. Wearing it I always felt like a grown up. We the children were allowed to fast so that we can participate in Pushpanjali with the elders. Pushpanjali ( offering flowers to the god) was supposed to be a serious affair and required us to chant mantras as well. But as we didn't understand Sanskrit the entire thing turned out to be funny. All my cousins huddled in the small praying room. Once pushpanjali started we nudged each other and tried hard to stifle our giggles. Like all other children the main reason we loved Saraswati Puja was because nobody told us to study on that day.



As I turned in to a gawky, acned teenager the concept of Saraswati Puja changed a lot. I was admitted to a Bengali medium school from a convent. This meant Saraswati Puja was one of the biggest events among school activities. Preparations started a month before the Puja. Invitations were sent out to other schools, eminent persons of the town etc. Going around the entire town during school time we invited everyone. This, I found, was really cool as the other students learnt the nitty gritties of mathematics or learnt why the British won the Battle of Plassey, we had fun ( though we acted like we were doing a great deal for our school). the idol was kept in a small room near the school main gate. We proposed that the idol can be kept on the stage. That way we can decorate it nicely. However our proposal was met with a raised eyebrow from most of the teachers. The way they looked at us seemed like they said, " Oh nice! you want it on the stage is it? So that all the guys can come right inside our school and you girls have good time." Our venue remained unchanged till date.
On the day of the Puja I could simply pass my time sitting on our patio watching the young people. The girls all dressed up beautifully, even the guys took special care about their dress. Soon Saraswati Puja became an occasion for young girls and guys to go on a special date. A leading Bengali Daily called Saraswati Puja 'Bengal's' Valentine's Day' and it was official. Girls and guys roamed around hand in hand wearing shy smiles. For me the day started early. After offering pushpanjali and having prasad we went to school. We sat on the benches in front of the puja room. As I was still the most ignorant about the juicy gossips that made headlines through out the town my friends filled me up on that. Occasionally thy would point out some guy or girl who starred in those gossips. Next we went pandal hopping or rather school hopping to check out the idols and decorations in other schools ( actually to check out the boys too...!!!)

Food is an integral part of Saraswati Puja. The simple bhog -khichdi, fries and vegetables were truly incomparable to restuarant food. At home Dadu ( my grandpa) cooked the food on this special day. A huge stove ( that made so much noise that everybody had to shout on the top of their voices whenever they wanted to speak) adorned the front yard. Extra large utensils were brought down from the loft. However the end result was perfect. We ate the food for two days. The heavy and sumptuous meals were followed by pure bong "ADDA". Good food and adda - the two things that makes life pure BLISS for bongs.

The thought of food brought me back to reality. Oh how I miss the food! In fact I miss my childhood. Wish I was there in school today...serving food to our juniors, washing the puja utensils, having luchi-alur dom the day before. But no, today is a usual day here. Just that in my dreams I was back to those wonderful days. Of course we are going to attend the Puja here in the Hindu Center. But it is not going to be the same. I console myself saying things do change when you grow up ( Alas I am 29 going on 30). I groan as I realise I am that old! I try to cheer up thinking I can dress up like before even now and this time my husband will be with me so may be it will be fun after all. I resume my daydreaming once again. This time I see myself in a red and white Dhakai ( traditional Bengali saree) and him in a white Chikan kurta, offering pushpanjali in the Hindu Center, we chant Saraswatvayi Devyayi Namo...