DURGA PUJA-6: DURGASHASHTHI & PANDAAL HOPPING

Durgashashthi is here

Mothers ask for blessing for their children

 

We went Pandaal hopping in late morning

It rained here

Here's glimpse of a Pandaal in the shape of boat

Devi Durga is said to have come to her parent's house Earth on a boat this year

The rain stopped

Here is a small road off the main road and

we spot a beautiful Pandaal

The entrance

The entrance gateway

adorned in paintings and terracotta bells

Inside there were panels with many more paintings

 The Goddess with her family

There were many panels of paintings all around the pandaal

Each painting telling a folklore or

Religious story

 Another panel with Devi Durga, Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Kartike, lion and the demon Mahishasoor

 A little ahead another Pandaal in rich red colour

 Yet another neat and nice Devi murti

We went again at night

This Pandaal is in Gariyahaat

 You can see the croud

After crossing the croud we reached the Puja sthal, lovely

Here the decoration of the pandaal is with thin plywood, burlap and thermacol; and all coloured in sandstone shade

The walls and ceiling remind you of sand stone carved temples of Rajasthan

Neatly designed Pandaal closeby

Inside was a huge murti

I loved this Pandaal from Hindustaan Park

Very innovative

Verry interesting

The Gateway

From the ceiling is dangling shankha-pola (auspicious bangle of married bengali women). so many that can't see the ceiling

All the construction is with bamboo covered with Laal paar shada saari( red bordered white saari), sindoor (vermilon), diyas(lamps), shankha-pola(auspicious bangle of married bengali women) and red jaaba flower(Hibiscus)

All the statues of deities are made with cloth 

Stories from Devi Durga and Kali potrayed

Another small entrance to the main hall

Paintings of Shakti

 Mystical

Red sindoor

Jaba phool

Big eyes

Laal paar shada saari

Garbhagriha of Pandaal

Beautiful statue

Simple but striking decor

The ceiling of the same pandaal

painting and Laal paar shada saari

 

There are Pandaal at stone throw distance

Roads are full of excited people who come out just like me and you to see all the creative Pandaal and Devi murtis

The stalls are full of array of delicious fast foods

Some stalls for books, toys and decorative items

The air has the smell of Dhuno

Maa Durga is amongst us

 

DURGA PUJA-5: PANCHMI

SUBHA-PANCHAMI

is here.

Under the bel tree Bodhon is done

The Pandal is done

 

The Pandal is being decorated

The beautiful Devi Murti has arrived

 The Pandal is being decorated at night

  The Pandal is ready. Pretty as ever

DURGA PUJA-4: YOU ARE INVITED!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

TO CELEBRATED DURGA PUJA WITH US!

This is the official invitation card this year, designed by me.

Feels good...

DURGA PUJA-3: Pre- Puja SHOPPING

SHOPPING!

HAVE YOU DONE YOURS?
STILL PENDING?
LAST MOMENT RUSH?
HECTIC YET EXCITING!

Let me take you out with me
Where?...............................           Taanter Haat

 

This is a wonderful effort by the Government to promote the weavers, small businessmen and craftsmen to come closer to the consumer. The exhibitions are THE place to go. You get to see a variety and some very off the beat stunning pieces at very reasonable prices.

 

We reached in the noon, so were saved off the mad rush.

Pretty mannequin in a pretty saree?

 

Lovely display of different types of handwoven sarees from different parts of Bengal.

All kinds of colours- bright, muted; varying combination...

visual treat...

 

Don't forget the accessories to go with the sarees.

Am just thrilled by the  variety of tassels here...

 

Don't miss these craftsmen at work.

The man on left is carving a piece of soft wood, the man on right is painting the carved wooden block.

 

Must have one of these lovely dolls.

The pretty Lakhi pachaa, Auspicious owl is just right for the table.

 

This is dokra art of the tribals.

Here thin wire like strips of bee wax are twinned to give a shape; then a mold with clay is made; on heating the wax comes out and a hollow mold  is made. Now the craftsman fills the mold with molten copper. Once cold the mold is broken and a shiny piece of art is produced.

 

The masks in the making.

The tribal Santhali man and woman, Goddess Kali and Goddess Durga...

 

Ferocious demon face, just right for the entryway to ward off the evil...

 

Madhubani painting art

Each piece is a story in itself of folklores, daily life or a small prayer

Rush do your shopping
eat out
chat.....chat.....and chat....
Enjoy!!!

DURGA PUJA-2: MAHALAYA

Devi paksh begins!

Pitri paksha (15days prior to Mahalaya) ended with paying of homage to our ancesters in form of prayers and food to needy.

Devi paksha is the holy time for begining new things and ventures.

Now the Goddess Durga is invited and requested to come to her paternal home, Earth and live amongst us.

This day the story of Mahisasoor vadh is told (the victory of good upon bad) and Goddess is prayed! 

"Jaago Durga
Jaago Dashpraharan-dharini..."

"Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita
Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."

AUTUMN FOLDER-SAVE THE COLOURED MEMOURS!

Hi! A very big Hi!!
Autumn is here!

 

Let us celebrate by making a paper folder in colours of Autumn. You need one to keep all the beautiful brightly coloured memories in it, or may send some invites.

Here are two lovely handmade papers.

 This is a A3(16.4 inch x11.6inch or 41cm x30cm approximately) size rust coloured handmade paper. Look closer, it has few silk fibers embedded in it.

 

This is another textured handmade paper.

  

Now I have simply folded the A3 paper along its length to give the shape of folder.

 

I have used the textured paper to make the pocket inside the folder. For this folder I have cut the paper as 3.4 inch or 9cm height; and 8.5 inch or 22cm approximately (i.e. width of the folded folder and 1cm extra on both sides for the pocket.

 

It is Autumn, so I sketched few leaves on the back side of the textured cut piece of paper on one long edge (this edge shall form the open edge of pocket). 

 

With a sharp pair of scissors cut out the motif.

 

 

See how beautifully the cut out design stands out against the other colour background.

 

Now I also had a bright orange textured handmade paper (in rather less quantity). Using the same cut out as reference I sketched some more leaves in continuity to previous cutout, but, this time on the front side of orange paper.

 

Neatly cut out. Using zig-zag edged scissors I also cut the rest of the strip of orange paper which is cut about 8.3inch or19.5cm in length.

 

Put glue on reverse edge on the textured paper and stick the orange paper.Lovely design! Isn’t it? Fold about 0.3inch or 1cm of textured paper on the other three sides, and the pocket is formed. Stick the pocket inside the folder on the right hand page flush to the lower edge.Pretty!

 

Front of the folder needs dressing up. This is a lovely thin handmade paper with flower petals embedded in it. Cut it using zig-zag craft scissors to a size of 1inch less on all sides of finish folder. Stick it with glue.

 

How to keep the folder closed, when not in use? Use a belt. For this I used strips of orange paper and a maroon dotted satin ribbon.

 

Here is my belt. The length of orange strip is about 0.4 inch more than twice width of folder. The satin ribbon is long enough to tie a bow around the folder.

 

Tie the belt in middle of folder. If you want to send this as invite, put the contents in the pocket and stick the ends of orange paper of belt and on top of it tie the satin bow. This makes it more personalized. Very dainty!

Enjoy the experiences!
Cherish the memories!
Take care!

I am linking this post with Home Sweet Home party.