CR PARK SPEAKS NEWSLETTER

The Divine Alignment: Devi Agaman and Prasthan in Durga Puja 2026 Researched And Curated By Dr Anindita Roy (PhD), crparkspeaks@gmail.com As the autumn breeze carries the familiar fragrance of shiuli blossoms and the rhythmic beats of the dhaak begin to echo through our neighborhoods, a familiar transformation takes place. Durga Puja is not just a festival; it is an emotion, a grand homecoming, and a timeless tradition that unites millions across the globe. Central to our annual celebrations is the Panjika —the sacred almanac that governs every ritual, offering, and timing. This year, according to the venerable Gupta Press Directory Panjika 1433 , the astrological alignments carry immense significance, promising a unique blend of divine blessings and cosmic warnings through the Goddess’s choice of vehicles ( vahans ). The Auspicious Arrival: Devi Agaman on Gaja (Elephant) Every year, the day of the week on which Maha Saptami falls dictates how Ma Durga arrives from her heav...

 GOLPO... Sunday Lunch Robibarer Mangsher Jhol by Chandralekha ~ 24 May 2024 The cumin seeds spluttered and the garam masala released its signature aroma signaling for the meat to be added. Marinated in yogurt and ginger-garlic paste, the mutton pieces sizzled as they touched the smoking mustard oil. “Potatoes and carrots go in next and the papaya is added last for it cooks first.” I could hear my mother’s voice in my head instructing me from Kolkata. I covered the dekchi to let the meat cook. Mangsher jhol was on its way. It was ten-thirty. Guests would be arriving in two hours. I picked up the duster to tidy the living room. Vitamix’s powerful whirring stopped abruptly. “Here, have some of this,” offered Orko, my son. “It’s got beta-carotene, Vit C, E, and K.” He scraped the remnants of 12 large Bunny-Luv’s, bought from the organic section in Berkeley Bowl, into the composting bin. He placed the large jug of freshly squeezed carrot juice on the kitchen island. I filled ...

  " अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते । जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥" "Api svarṇamayī Laṅkā na me Lakṣmaṇa rocate; Jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī." "O Lakshmana, even if Lanka is made of gold, it does not appeal to me. My mother and my motherland are greater even than heaven." Few verses from the Indian epics have echoed through centuries with as much emotional resonance as this declaration attributed to Lord Rama after the victory over Lanka. While the golden city represented prosperity, power, and abundance, Rama's choice reflected a deeper truth—that a homeland is not measured by its wealth but by the bonds of belonging, identity, duty, and love. As India celebrates another Independence Day, this ancient verse invites us to revisit the meaning of freedom in a world that is increasingly interconnected, digital, and global. Political independence was achieved in 1947 through extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and collective deter...

MONO CHALO NIJO NIKETANE Musings By Sanjoy Das Gupta Sri Ramakrishna first met a young Narendranath and heard him sing in November 1881 at the house of his householder devotee, Shri Surendra Nath Mitra. Shri Ramakrishna used to visit Shri Mitra’s house in Calcutta to deliver spiritual lectures and other forms of enlightenment. On this particular occasion too, Shri Mitra had arranged a spiritual festival at his house in Shimla Street wherein Sri Ramakrishna would be present. When the appointed singer for the occasion failed to show up, a young Narendranath Dutta, Mitra’s neighbour and a talented singer, was asked to fill in. Narendranath was then around eighteen years old, preparing for his FA exams of Calcutta University. Narendra sang several devotional songs. His performance was soulful and deeply impressed Sri Ramakrishna. One of the songs sang by him was a Bromho Sangeet “ Mono Chalo Nijo Niketane…” composed by Sri Ayodhyanath Pakrasi, an eminent educationist and scholar in Ben...