Last year, one of my aunts decided to celebrate Kali Puja a little differently. Instead of going to a temple or joining the festivities outside, she decided to have the Kali Puja performed at home.
Now, there is a belief that once you decide to do Kali Puja at home, you have to continue doing it for three consecutive years. So, having successfully completed the first year, this was Year Two.
And Kali Puja isn't exactly a morning affair!
The rituals traditionally begin in the wee hours of the night, when most sensible people are fast asleep. So, a little after 1 in the morning, the Puja began.
The house had taken on a completely different atmosphere. Everything was quieter, the usual sounds of the day had disappeared, and there was something almost surreal about sitting there at that hour while the elaborate rituals unfolded.
And it wasn't a quick Puja either.
The rituals went on for a couple of hours, with the priest meticulously going through the various stages of the ceremony. There were mantras, offerings, lamps, flowers and all the other elements that make the ritual so elaborate and deeply symbolic.
It's quite an experience to actually sit through the entire ritual.
At that hour of the night, there's something particularly special about it. Perhaps it's the silence outside, perhaps it's the flickering lamps, or perhaps it's simply being awake when the rest of the world seems to be sleeping.
Whatever it was, it certainly made for a memorable night.
By the time the Puja finally came to an end, it was well into the early hours of the morning. Sleepy eyes notwithstanding, I was glad I had stayed up to experience it.
One year to go, I guess!
Let's see what Year Three has in store...
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