Shivaji Park Bengal Club Durga Puja 2012

-

The Bengali Durga Puja Festival lasts for  five days as compared to the nine nights of Navratri.The main puja for the Goddess starts on Mahasaptami.Today is Maha Ashtami,the next day.We visited the Mahalakshmi temple,then the Ekviradevi Temple and finally the Bengal Club Durga Puja.



It is the 77th year of its celebration.The place was vibrant! We were in time for the Anjali.Several people from other communities also come here so I landed up explaining it to the Punjabi lady standing next to me.




Maa Durga and Kalimata are both avatars of the Goddess Parvati.



 Pandals offer Bhog first to the Goddess and then to all that come.This is mostly Khichuri made of rice,lentils and vegetables.Here the drums played while the Goddess was covered and offered the food.


I was quite keen to try it today but the line was oh-so-long!!! In fact this happens globally.My friend Pree told us that the Toronto Kali Bari Durga Puja was super long too



Went to see the stalls instead



 My cousin got lovely white bangles made of shell,that she had been wanting since childhood! The shopkeeper got quite upset when I confirmed they were made of conch shell...."You think I will give you plastic?" he said! :) These she matched with red lacquer ones and an iron one(loha).





There were lots of people there and I bumped into many people I knew.


We saw shops with jute chappals,Kolkata sarees and salwar kameez material.I have bought them before.The good thing is that the colour does not run.The many boutiques and fancy shops of Mumbai can learn a thing or two from them to prevent ruining our clothes with the first wash.




It would be an understatement to say Bengalis love their food and are particular about it..It's not surprising then that food stalls at the Pujo had such good food (thought a bit greasy).In fact I think in terms of taste it outdid the meals I'd had in Bong restaurants.What would be nice is to have had tables so that we could sit there and eat.We took the food home but many people stood and ate



There was the majestic Ilish with its many,many bones in a lush mustard curry.There was Betki too


But the best was the Rui Macch.....oh so heavenly....perfectly cooked and spiced and fresh!




The rice was cooked just right and I think it was Gobindobhog.


Can there be any Bong fest without rolls? Here they were served with a dollop of Kasundi.



Spotted Mishti Doi and a sweetmeat stall that had the maximum crowd but gave it a miss.


Me.....I am still looking for Bhog.I am told the Lokhandwala Pandal run by Abhijit serves excellent Bhog.The Tulip Star Juhu Pandal has also received great appreciation.Next year,I won't let a long line stop me.Till then, I will make it after watching Finely Chopped's video on Bhoger Khichudi

Comments

Deliciously Directionless said…
Missed going there this year! Thanks for posting, feels like I'm there :)
October 22, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Kalyan Karmakar said…
next time come to notun polly...we will make sure you don't have to queue up
November 1, 2012 at 12:42 AM
Sassy Fork said…
Wow...super...will be there!
November 1, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Food at a Baarsa...A Maharashtrian Naming Ceremony

-
Image
Today we had the naming ceremony of my grand-nephew...one rarely gets to see such functions so was mighty thrilled when I heard about it.A time to connect with cousins is always welcome The parents of the baby Vikrant and Rakhi glowed with joy.Their parents and grandparents were in attendance at the Kohinoor Hall at Prabhadevi.The priest chanted mantras.Then everyone went unto the great-grandmother (Panji)and showed their respect and took her blessings.We showered the baby and her with flowers and she in return showered the baby with tiny gold flowers.Then the aunt went and announced the baby's name....Arjun!! The grandmother then read out a note which was supposed to have been conveyed to her by Arjun in which he declares the good quality of each of his relatives that he hopes to inherit...lovely! This was followed by a typical Maharashtrian lunch... Khamang Kakdi or Cold Cucumber and Yoghurt Salad which was oh so refreshing Bhajjis of potato,chillies ...
Read more

The Malcolm Baug Parsi Pop-Up

-
Image
Had a fascinating time at Malcolm Baug,Jogeshwari,thanks to the invitation of my friend Perzen Darukhanawala Patel (also known as Bawi Bride ) at the lovely Jer Villa. Baugs are colonies set up by Parsis,mainly the N.M. Wadia Trust and this one is so named as it was bought from an Englishman named Malcolm.This was earlier a hunting ground.We were privy to these lovely stories, thanks to the presence of our friends and archaeologists Kurush and Rhea Mitra Dalal.Malcolm Baug has been developed like a hill station and has quaint bungalows with lovely gardens. Baugs were set up for needy Parsis by Bai Jerbai Wadia and her sons.Others include Cusrow Baug,Navroz Baug,Rustom Baug,Jer Baug and Ness Baug which are gated communities that have buildings and gardens.A nominal rent is collected but the upkeep is undertaken by the trust. Arrived there with my lovely food blogger friend Romi,her humorous hubbie Gaurav (actor,anchor and of the radio station Fever) and India Food Network ...
Read more

Wedding Food

-
Image
Weddings today have changed.Now you see a fusion of customs and cuisines,as people are marrying people from different backgrounds and culture than their own.At times,we see traditional customs of both the sides and that's enriching! As far as food goes,I am tired of seeing Tawa Sabzi,Methi Malai Mutter and Paneer Makhanwala at every other wedding.Two weddings I attended recently had traditional food, which was a refreshing change. The Maharashtrian wedding of my niece Rishika to Vineet was held at Indraprastha Hall in Pune.Indraprastha used to be the capital of the Pandava kingdom in Mahabharata. Maharashtrian weddings are not long drawn affairs.The Muhurta is in the morning around 10am or 11am,The bride and groom aren't allowed to see each other till the "Shubhamangalam-Savadhaan" is over.They are separated by the Antarpat or a curtain which is removed once songs and mantras have been chanted.They are then lifted in the air by relatives and friends and they garland ...
Read more