The advent of the Goddess Durga
"Mahishasura Mardini" or "Chandi Path" (ode to Goddess Durga), booming in the immortal voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra at the crack of dawn on Mahalaya, has ushered in Devi Paksha or the fortnight of Durga Puja celebration in Bengal. The days counting to Puja are getting fewer and more frenzied. Festivities and gaiety are in the air for all Bengalis across the world. It's that time of the year when the non-resident Bengali yearns for the sights and smells of his/her homeland. When the clouds clear up and the sun shines bright after monsoon, the first signs of Durga Puja approaching near are the swaying kaash phul in the autumnal breeze. The sweet scent of shiuli phul fills the air at night. Dawn starts getting a little nippy, and days a little shorter. For Bengalis and those who worship the Supreme Goddess, this a time of faith being renewed, of ties being strengthened and of hope and goodwill being restored. No one can miss the bonhomie between two Be