The big debate across much of Eastern India (& Shakta Hindus everywhere): what to do about Durga Puja? Some will probably opt for a scaled down "ghata puja". Others may go for a strictly restricted version with online viewing. None of these feel quite right. 1/n
Here is a out of the box idea: celebrate the full Durga Puja in April. It is not widely known that the festival was originally celebrated in April till the Iron Age and the tradition is that Lord Ram shift it to Oct as wanted to invoke Durga before the battle with Ravan. 2/n
Indeed, the Oct celebration begins with an "akal bodhon" ie invocation of the Goddess at the wrong time. There are some families that still do the Puja in April. Now that Lord Ram is back in Ayodhya, perhaps we too can shift back (at least this year). 3/n
I am aware that April suffers awful weather in Kolkata compared to Oct, but it is tolerable in other places (including Delhi). Well, happy to hear what others have to say 4/n
