Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

A collage of various tribal villages of Andhra Pradesh is the theme of Behala Buroshibtala Janakalyan Sangha Durga Puja. Last year, the theme 'maner manush' was bagged various prizes. So, this year, theme-makers Subodh Roy and Amit Halder expect, viewers will be charmed to see the village on 200 acres land. The customs and traditions of a tribal village will be depicted at the puja mandap. The pumpkin within a rope cage is the auspicious sign at a tribal house of Andhra. Four rooms are being made, where the pumpkins would be hanged. Three coconut trees would be used in such a manner that you can think a mother is lapping two babies. An idol of Shiva-Parvati with Ganesh on their lap of 16 feet high would be there outside the main pandal. An artificial canal has been dug where, from fishery to marketing - all the processes can be experienced. The visitors have to cross the canal by wooden bridge to see the idol of goddess Durga. The main pandal would be surrounded b...

Today I was going to a village of rural Bengal to keep the invitation. At noon, clouds covered the sun and witnessed a fair spell of thundershower. After lunch, while I was returning home, watched a little girl was going in front of me with a school bag on her back. It was a calm afternoon after a spell of rains. And the doors of the rural houses and shops were shut. I felt the loneliness of the girl and the aloof surrounds. -- A. B.

This century-old ruined temple situated at village Bandipur of Hooghly district. The village is near Nalikul railway station. The temple has still now the signs of ancient culture of rural Bengal on its wall. This abandoned temple not yet included in the list of 'Temples of Bengal'. -- A. B.