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...

More Than a Wedding — A Reunion of Roots When sixty voices filled a hall and reminded us what family truly means. By Jaya Ray, Financial Advisor &  Citizen Journalist , Civic Media, CR Park Speaks I recently realised the value of a large, extended family, when my nephew got married and my entire family of 60 plus people turned up for the mega event. Although few members were still missing(that would take the count to about 75!), the strength was enough to fill the wedding venue to more than half! The biggest takeaway for me and my cousins were when our children bonded like they were never away from each other. Such has become the bond, that soon after the wedding, when the children were back to their own cities, my son formed a whatsapp group to stay in touch. We often say, that this generation likes to stay within themselves and are not social enough. But given an opportunity, they also bond, and how! I also saw, how the children have imbibed values such as touching the f...

READ CR PARK SPEAKS SEPTEMBER 2025 Click This Button Editorial Āshvin 2025 | September–October Issue As the month of Āshvin arrives, a familiar anticipation sweeps through Chittaranjan Park. The monsoon lingers with its last showers, and our colony readies itself to welcome to Daughter of Mother Earth. Pandals rise in every block, and the fragrance of shiuli blossoms reminds us that Durga Puja is not just a festival—it is the soul of the quintessential Bangali - our “pran kendra”. The air is redolent with a riot of fragrances contesting with each other to enamour the evening walker in the park. The numerous, luxuriant trees lining the streets and lanes of the colony, happily sway with the winds, as if happily looking forward to the time when Maa Durga descends in various gigantic pandals for 5 days. A subdued frenzy grips the colony when the motley Puja exhibitions come up here and there, quietly heralding the mother of all exhibitions - “Bangiya Samaj Bos...

Read CR Park Speaks May 2025 Click This Button Dear Readers, Boishakh or the onset of summer - a whirlwind of  change is witnessed in nature.  A riot of colours continue from spring, albeit with a more pronounced and serene stability that sets in to gradually taper off the rebirth of nature that takes place in spring. Nature settles down to provide nourishment, growth, shade and continuity to life.   The magic of nature continues in the vegetation, crops and cultivation where the seasonal vegetation starts to provide coolness, nourishment and natural strength to the living beings, especially the human body. It is like after a night of partying, the body craves for the quiet nourishment of a detox meal the next day- summer imparts that complete detoxification to the human body. The Bangali palette seamlessly adopts the sour, the bitter, the light soups, the boiled vegetables and naturally heals and cools the body. Every dish in an average Bangali h...