শারদ শুভেছা~ 'ওগো আমার আগমনী' :: Sharod Shubhechha~ Ogo amar agomoni

 শুভ মহালয়া ~Shubho Sharadotsava 

'ওগো আমার আগমনী'... 

শুভ মহালয়ার পূণ্য প্রভাত

full bloomed lotus at home

  On the auspicious first day of Devipaksha

এসো শরতের অমল মহিমা, এসো হে ধীরে।

                        চিত্ত বিকাশিবে চরণ ঘিরে।।

the  fragrance in the air,
fragrance of the  festivities .

Today is Mahalaya(মহালয়া)...

the commencement of 'Devipaksha' (দেবিপক্ষ)

the beginning of 'Autumn Festival' 

or 'Sharodiyo Durgotshov' 

in Bengali 'শারদীয়া দুর্গা পুজা '...

This is the moment to enjoy 

the timeless beauty of 

Mahalaya  Agomoni and 'Chandi Path' (চণ্ডী পাঠ) 

by (Late) Birandra Krishna Bhadra

a very nostalgic moment for every Bengali

it's all about our childhood memories....

all those auspicious  moments 

in a beautiful autumn ( Ashwin) dawn 

and that magical  telecast on All India Radio.

An 'Oratario' invoking The Goddess Durga

Sanskrit Chants,'Slokas' and Bengali devotional songs 

those unforgettable melodies

by versatile artists of yesteryear's..

'বাজল তোমার আলোর বেণু
মাতল রে ভুবন...'

still in my heart!!

Warm wishes for a very Happy Durga Puja 

and Happy Navaratri 
from my home to yours -;) 

 Images: My home  and copyrighted. 

Please, do not reuse them in any form without my written permission. Thanks!

A Very Happy and Prosperous Dhanteras...Wishes for a joyous Diwali :)

 Today
is the auspicious day of  'Dhanteras' ...
when all the small earthen 'diyas'  are lit up
and beautiful 'rangolis' are drawn at the entry way...
 to welcome Goddess 'Lakshmi'
The Goddess of wealth.

On 'Dhanteras'
'Lakshmi' puja  is performed with full devotion
to ensure  prosperity, 
and to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
People buy gold or silver
or any other kinds of metal
as a sign of wealth or good luck :)

'Dhanteras'  or 'Dhan Trayodashi'
 is the very first day 
of the five-days-long 'Diwali' festival,
 ' The Festival of Lights'...

'Dhan' means wealth and 'Tera' is thirteenth.
Dhanteras falls on 
the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of 'Krishna paksha' (dark fortnight)
in the 'Hindu' month of 'Kartik' (October/November).

A Very Happy Dhanteras
glowing with peace, joy and prosperity.

Dhanteras Ki Hardik Subhkamnayee...

Enjoy this  auspicious day 
with gusto and enthusiasm...
Shubh Dhanteras 
and 
A Very Happy Diwali to you all :)

Wishes for a joyous Diwali and a Happy New Year with plenty of Peace and Prosperity !!!

All pictures are photographed by me. Please, do not reuse them in any form without my written permission. Thanks.

Flavour of Diwali....A letter from Singapore...:)

 While  I am busy writing this emotional post
living in a faraway land,
back home in India
the picture must be something like this:


All the small  clay lamps are lit up by now;
the yellow of the Marigold, 
the red of  the 'Kum-kum',
the pink of the Lotus,
the garlands, sequins 
'puja thalis' and 'rangolis',
are all painting beautifully
the dazzling images of Diwali, The Festival of Lights.

The word 'Diwali'  originates from the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali'
which means 'Rows of Lights' !
 The auspicious 'Ammavaasa'
in the month of 'Kartik',
the glittering 'diyas' and lanterns,
and the beautiful fireworks and sound of crackers
announces the arrival of the most vibrant festival of my country.

   

While my humble nest is slowly getting the makeover 

for 'The Festival of Joy and Happiness'

the lady of the house

is now deeply missing

the magical flavour of her motherland.

When the whole world is soaking in

the warm autumn colours...

happy yellow, bright orange 

burnt red and gold...

then comes 'Diwali',

our very own 'Autumn Festival'!

Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama

after his 14 years of exile...

this is The Festival of Home Coming

Yes, happy home coming.

Yes, for me Diwali means India.

To be precise, it is Delhi,

the gorgeous capital city 

which is ever enthusiastic

in celebrating life.

Beautiful autumn in Northern India,

 fragrant, crisp air,

people dressed in vibrant colours,

a festive mood everywhere,

'pujas' in temples,

flowers and garlands,

Marigold and Lotus,

'Haldi' and 'Kum-kum',

long queues in front of 'mithai' (sweet) shops,

fairs and exhibitions in every nook and corner,

and dazzling fireworks in display ;

Yes, I can keep going on and on...

To add, special offerings made to Goddess 'Lakshmi',

The Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.

  

This is the festival

to drive away the shadows of evil,

to enlighten the inner soul,

to express the warm Indian hospitality.

 This is another gorgeous 'Diwali'
in this little tropical island.
I am off to prepare some sweets for family and friends
(what is Diwali without homemade sweets)..
Please do not forget to share your thoughts on
what is your plan for this Diwali.


This is a pre-Diwali design post. For more inspirations, stay tuned.

Wish You All A Very Happy Diwali 

and Dhanteras !!!




All pictures are photographed by me. Please, do not reuse them in any form without my written permission. Thanks.



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