Things To Do Before Durga Puja Ends

Call it Durga Puja or Navratri, the festival honouring the eternal Goddess is always fulfilled. The best part about this Indian festival is that it goes on for 10 days. After so much fun you are bound to have an emotional hangover! As we near the end of this year's Navratri festivities, probably your heart is already weighing heavy.

But do not worry, the fun is far from over. Here is a conclusive list of all the things that you simply must do before Durga Puja comes to an end.

Dance To The Dhak

The beats of the Dhak are not only rhythmic but also ethereal on during the pujas.

Checking Out Guys/Girls

'Jhari mara' or taking a sweep look at the crowd is an acceptable Durga puja practice.

Dhunuchi Naach

Any aarti of Maa Durga is incomplete without some zingy Dhunuchi Naach!

Gorge To The Fullest

Bengalis and food just happen to like each other!

Sindoor Khela

The colourful ritual of Sindoor Khela makes every woman look like a Goddess!

Asche Bochor Abar Hobe

If you have missed out on any of these then don't worry; Maa Durga will visit us again next year!

Dance To The Beat Of The Dhak: There is nothing more intoxicating than the rhythmic beats of Dhak on a pleasantly cool evening. Dhak is a special kind of drum that is played in Bengal during Durga Puja. The Dhakis or drum beaters come from the interiors of rural Bengal. Dancing to the enchanting beats of the Dhak is something you must not miss this Navratri.

Check Out Guys/Girls: During the time of Navratri, everyone is dressed to impress. So, checking out eligible guys and girls is one of the most pleasurable part of this festival. There is no offense meant or taken. 'Jhari mara' as it is called in Bengali is an acceptable practice. Do not be ashamed to stare at the hot properties in your Puja Mandap, just do so slyly!

Dhunuchi Nanch: This is a particular dance that happens only during Durga puja. Dhunuchi is basically the skin of a dried coconut that is burnt for getting rid of mosquitoes and also for its ethereal smell. Dhunuchi Naach is a type of dance that happens during the 'sandhya aarti'. The beats of the dhak accompany the dance.

Gorge To The Fullest: Bengalis are foodies and Bengali food is a legend in itself. Gorge on all kinds of fried Bengali foods during Durga Puja. Your diet also needs a break. Fish fry, meat kobiraji, roll, phuchka are few of the street foods that you must not miss!

Sindoor Khela: Before Maa Durga leaves for her heavenly abode, you must anoint her with lots of vermilion or sindoor. Sindoor khela is custom in which all the married women apply sindoor first to the idols of goddesses and then to each other. They are traditionally dressed in red and white for this function that is colourful and lots of fun.

Ashche Bochor Abar Hobe: Bengali look at Goddess Durga both as a Mother and also a daughter who has come to visit her maiden home. So the process of immersing Maa Durga and sending her back to her husband's home is just as painful as giving daughter away. To make the nostalgia less hurtful, the devotee sing and dance to the beats of dhak while going for the immersion. They also raise the slogan 'Ashche bochor abar hobe' that literally means 'It will happen again next year'.

Maa Durga will keep visiting her devotees and bring about the end of evil on every Durga Puja. It is an eternal process so do not lose heart if you have missed out on any of these things this year. Ashche bochor abar hobe!