Dussehra 2014

HAPPY DUSSEHRA FROM SANTOSH TYAGI

Today’s the day when the ten-headed demon king Ravan’s all 10 brains were blown to bits by Lord Ram. In a feminist reinforcement of the same ‘good prevailing over evil’ myth, buffalo demon Mahishasur was annihilated by a beautiful, smiling ten-armed Durga astride a ferocious lion. Coincidentally, on the very same day, Durga returns to her husband, Lord Shiva after her ten-day annual vacation on earth.

Bhaswati distributes barfi prasad

This is also the day when Kautsa fulfilled his promise of guru dakshina to sage Vararantu.
But for us, this was the day when Santosh Tyagi treated us to the most delectable prasad imaginable – shira and boiled gram, to be washed down with cups of flavored tea. Earlier, Bhaswati Bose distributed barfis (also prasad) after offering puja yesterday. But it was Santosh’s shira-gram prasad that had left a lingering aftertaste, such that many could not resist the temptation of second and third helpings.

Hot flavoured tea for everybody

Why is Shekhawat not shaking hands?

It has to be said that if Dussehra is about celebrating the Mother Goddess, we could not have had a better celebration. We are indeed blessed to have someone like Santosh among us who gets up at 2:30 in the night to prepare the shira-gram to absolute perfection and feed us first thing in the morning with such motherly care and affection. Along with the delicacy, she had brought paper cups, spoons, tissue and bottled drinking water, all neatly packed in her bag. Which woman in today’s times would do so much – that too for people wholly unrelated to her?
Incidentally, today was also the day when Shekhawat had to say his goodbyes before he catches the evening train to Jaipur. For some strange reason, he took offence to some ladies addressing him as “bhaiyya” (brother) and it took Razia to say “darling” to turn him completely ecstatic. He hopped and clapped like a child. But his joy was shortlived because Fehmida Khan was soon to erupt out of nowhere and while wishing him a happy and safe journey, called him “daddy”.
Happy Dussehra everybody!
Jagmohan Papneja
An auspicious day indeed, celebrated with the distribution of sweets and prasad. It marks the victory of good over bad. May this day clear all the hurdles of your life and set a new era of well-being. Happy Dussehra!