| Temples & Legends Of Bengal |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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PREFACE |
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| The Durga puja
when Uma or Parvati is worshipped for four days strikes the inner chord of heart of the
Bengali and almost every Bengali household, rich or poor, looks forward for the Durga
puja. Why? To the Bengali she is Uma, the loving daughter who, comes from her husband's
abode in the uninviting snow-clad Himalayas to visit her father's place once in a year for
four days only. The parents compare her with their daughters who have flown out of
the nest by marriage. These are the few days when a Bengali house - hold is transported
into a deep bliss because of a re-union with the beloved ones. Uma or Parvati lives the year round in the deep ravines or the peaks
of the snow-clad Himalayas with her husband Lord Siva commonly described as BomBhola
or Pagla Bhola. To a Bengali whose heart throbs for the miseries of Uma, Siva
is almost mad, who does not know his own mind and who is absurdly unworldly and careless.
Lord Siva neglects his wife. Such domestic an intimate themes are a paradox to many
in otherparts of India but they are fondly cherished by many a Bengali throughout the year
and particularly in the Puja days.The idea of worship and this parentaaffection for
Uma goes together. |
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