#mahasaptami
On Saptami, kolabou or Nabapatrika is given a pre dawn bath called mahasnan( you must have noticed a banana plant quaintly standing amidst all the idols wearing a lal paar). After this the saptami pooja is perforned and the devotees offer their first ‘Pushp anjali’ to the Goddess. In the afternoon the first bhog is served to Ma behind a curtain and thereafter distributed. I along with many others wait the year round to taste this humble khichudi which never tastes this divine in the entire year. Served piping hot with chodchodi, aloor dum, mishti chutney and paayesh, the taste is heavenly. No wonder there is an unprecedented rush at most puja pandals when bhog distribution takes place. Saptami morning was well spent again with offering anjali in the morning and having Maa’s bhog in the afternoon interspersed with lots of pandal hopping.
About the saree, it is a silk cotton chanderi in off white with yellow and pink Ganga Jamuna borders and lotus motifs in the same colour all over from Radhika Rathi of Stotra fame. I had been longing for an off white saree with golden lotus motifs when I came across this page and found the same. To my disappointment it was sold. Few days later I pinged Radhika to ask if she could get me a similar one and she showed me this. It was love at first sight. She suggested a pink brocade blouse and even sent the material. Thank you Radhika for this one.
PS I am sorry about the saree marathon but please bear with me for the next three days. Thanks in advance.