Durga Puja Begins

October 13, 2010

Jadavpur, Kolkata — Aritra's Villa

The city of Kolkata had awakened with a new rhythm. The air was crisper, cooler, carrying the unmistakable scent of shiuli flowers that had begun to bloom overnight. The streets, which had been chaotic with last-minute shopping just days ago, were now filled with a different kind of energy—one that spoke of devotion, tradition, and celebration.

It was Maha Shashti, the first official day of Durga Puja. The city was dressed in lights, and the distant sounds of dhak drums could already be heard as pandals across the city prepared to welcome Durga Maa.

At Aritra's villa, the morning was busier than usual. Unlike most days, where the house remained quiet except for the occasional murmur of work calls or the hum of his AI assistant Lumen, today it was alive with family.

His parents had arrived early, his mother taking charge with her usual precision.

—

Aritra's mother, dressed in a simple but elegant white saree with a red border, wasted no time laying down the rules.

"Aritra, today is Shashti, which means you will accompany your family properly," she instructed, standing in the living room with her hands on her hips.

Aritra sighed, already resigned to his fate. "Yes, Ma."

"And don't think you can disappear into your study," she added, narrowing her eyes at him.

Katherine, watching from the couch, covered her amused smile with her hand.

His mother turned her attention to Katherine. "And today, you will be observing the ritual of Shashti. I know that it is new to you try to observe me more and learn."

Katherine straightened. "The fasting?"

His mother nodded approvingly. "Yes. In Bengal, the women of the house take a semi-fasting or full fasting today, praying to Durga Maa for the well-being of their families."

Katherine looked intrigued. "So… no food at all?"

His mother smiled. "Not until after the Puja and Anjali. But don't worry—when we break the fast, we'll have something special. Homemade luchi and aloo dum."

Katherine brightened. "I can do that."

Aritra leaned toward her, whispering, "You don't have to. Ma would understand."

Katherine shot him a pointed look. "If I'm celebrating Durga Puja, I want to do it properly."

His mother beamed. "That's the spirit! Come, we should start getting ready for the mandap."

Aritra wasn't getting out of this either.

—

While Aritra's mother took Katherine to the mandap, the responsibility of preparing the food fell to Aritra and his father.

Aritra's father, already rolling up his sleeves, looked at him with a smirk. "When was the last time you made luchi?"

Aritra paused. "Define 'made'."

His father laughed. "That's what I thought."

Lumen, the AI butler, materialized on the nearby smart screen, his smooth, polite voice filling the kitchen.

"Good morning, sir. I have compiled a step-by-step guide for making traditional luchi and aloo dum. Would you like assistance?"

Aritra sighed. "Lumen, do I have a choice?"

"No, sir."

His father chuckled, already kneading the dough. "Come on, time to learn. If I can do it, you can too."

Aritra glanced toward the door, wondering if he could escape.

Lumen's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Sir, attempting to leave the kitchen will result in failure of today's task. Would you like a motivational speech?"

Aritra groaned. "Just tell me how to roll the damn luchi."

His father laughed. "That's the spirit."

—

Meanwhile, Katherine walked through the narrow lanes of Jadavpur with Aritra's mother, the sound of conch shells and dhak beats growing louder as they neared the local Durga Puja mandap.

For the first time, Katherine saw Durga Maa's idol up close.

The mandap was a stunning creation, decorated with intricate fabric work, golden chandeliers, and fresh flowers. But it was the idol itself that held her attention.

Durga Maa stood tall, her ten arms radiating strength, the lion at her feet roaring as Mahishasura, the demon king, lay vanquished beneath her.

The sight was overwhelming.

Katherine had read about Hindu gods and goddesses before, but seeing Durga Maa like this—the sheer artistry, the devotion in the air—was something entirely different.

She folded her hands, mirroring the women around her, and closed her eyes as the priest began chanting the Anjali mantras.

She didn't understand all the words.

But she understood the feeling.

There was something powerful here, something that couldn't be explained, only felt.

For the first time, she stood not just as a visitor to India, but as a part of something larger.

The prayers ended, and as Katherine opened her eyes, she knew—this was just the beginning.