Durga

Ashtami :) Sitting in my office in Chennai, my mind is seeped in the sights, sounds and smells of Durga Puja in Calcutta... What a joyous powerful time!! The mesmerising sound of the Cymbals... the thunderous Dhak sending shock waves up your spine... the smoke... wafting aroma of bhog.. the singsong "paat" read by the priest... and Ma :) She of the lolling tongue and fiery eyes, numerous hands and deadly weapons, lions, beheaded demons, bejewelled crown and bewitching smile... Look at her! and hear hear! hear the dhak and the cymbals and the ghanti... get engulfed in the smoke... say "MA!" and let go...