Beyond Boundaries
The day is Bijoya Dashami, the end of the six-day Durga Puja festival, bidding adieu to the Goddess and hoping for the new celebrations in the coming year!! But this end of the festival also marks the festival of friendship and union among the residents of the borders lands of India and Bangladesh. On the banks of River Icchamati, lies the tradition of coming together on this day inspite being two different countries!!
The localities on either side of the river sail across on this day; though under the eyes of the border security forces, that none is allowed to step into the lands, there are times when people sneak to either country, mostly in search of better opportunities and a hope for a better future. However, the fun lies not in sailing to the banks of the other land, but the display of the idols and winning prizes! On the way, there are many shaking hands, conversation and distributions of sweets and fruits!!
It’s has become a custom of sharing and love, and in a world torn apart by so much violence and cruelty, here lies a world of friendship and togetherness, welcoming you with open arms!!
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- Bidding adieu to the Goddess…
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- On the banks of Icchamati river… The idols are taken on boat to be sailed across towards Bangladesh, before immersion…
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- Tradition and Customs…
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- Looking ahead… The residents prepare themselves for the day ahead!!!
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- Waiting to sail across… Thousands of residents, localities and also people from other places wait to experience the tradition…
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- Our boatman, with a smile on his face!!!
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- Preparation going well…
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- The boats are being strengthened and with bamboos…
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- Celebration time… Huge crowds gather to witness this day…
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- Maa Durga looks on…
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- Deciding on the prizes… The localities of Bangladesh make this arrangements to judge the most beautiful idol and give awards of token to the wining team.
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- Looking over… The Border Security Forces.
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- Stepping forward…
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- Eager hearts and open minds!!! The residents on their way to the other side…
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- There goes my boat… The flags are a mark of identification!!!
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- The crowd is sometime a way for few to sneak through in different lands. The process of celebration often leads to illegal entry into our country…
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- On the river Ichamati, crowded boats sail through…
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- Shaking hands, sharing of fruits sweets and tokens…
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- Looking ahead to the coming year of festivals and celebrations!!!
I am not going to be original this time, so all I am going to say that your blog rocks, sad that I don’t have such a writing skills