Wednesday, April 23 2008

Poila Baishakh (Bengali New Year)

April is the month when every Bengali looks forward to celebrating their New Year. The Bengali calendar starts with the month of Baishakh. Then follows the name of the rest of the months which has no meaning for people not related or anyway associated with it.

It was the 14th of April and the New Year day came calling. I feel, to be spiritual does help to overcome the difficult state of the mind when I face it. And, on a day like this I felt the need to visit the temple to offer my prayers to God. I believe in the Almighty that’s the reason I offer my prayers twice a day. My small Puja (Prayer) place creates the air of sanctity in the house. I light the lamp and agarbatti (incense sticks) and place it before the gods. Offering of sweets or fruits is not in my daily routine, only on special puja days. That's how I'm in touch with God everyday. There are some mantras (holy chanting) that are with me from my childhood days when I spent time with my Ma and Baba in the puja room and learnt them by heart. They flow automatically when I sit for my prayer with my palms joined and close to my heart and eyes closed. For those few minutes I feel very satisfied and happy. That's the effect of my puja.

Food tops the list of the day. Bengali's simply love food, so there was a lot of activity in my kitchen with special lunch and dinner. The phone was busy throughout the day, exchanging greetings and so much to share when I talk to my sisters. I think sisters are very close to one another than brothers. Or is it just my imagination?

When I look back at those days of my childhood I remember the fun, joy and merriment on a day like this. Maybe it was the advantage of being a part of a big family. Not to forget, Ma made sure we wore new clothes on our new year's day. Evenings were great fun. Spending time at the Bengali gathering where there was a fair to be followed by musical events, reciting Tagore's poems, dance, drama and part with exchange of warm greetings. Parting words would be something like this, 'Abaar dekha hobe samner bachar' (See you again next year). Was it a way to part on such an occasion? I'm yet to ascertain.

Sitting back I can only think of the coming year, January and April both 'Special to me'.