I accompanied my father & uncle for the annual ritual of 'Torpon' on the banks of the river Hoogly...
The generally deserted Mullik Ghat, was thronging with people.... The Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) can be seen in the background.
By the time we reached, people were already present in hordes 
The River Hoogly flows under the Howah Bridge... while the people offer their prayers...During the performance of the ritual, prayers are offered to the spirits of parents & fore-fathers by their sons or kins...
The large cantilever Howrah Bridge stands tall in the background.... while a priest performs the rituals in the fore ground...
A priest & a devotee chanting 'Mantras'.... The priest holds in his hands a dog-eared copy of 'Shlokas' & a ' Kansha' (brass) salver with 'Dhaan', 'Til', 'Chaal', 'Phool', Dubbo'...
A priest blessing a man with 'Gonga-mati' (mud from the Ganges)
'Kosha-Kushi' a spoon-like copper utensil which is used extensively during all 'Pujas' for holding the holy water of the Ganges...
Dad, offering his prayers to the Almighty.... 'Torpon' 
'Pind- Daan' ... so that the soul of the dearly departed can rest in peace...
Some people prefer to perform more elaborate rituals...
Vaisnavs singing 'Kirtans'... 
Devotees at the Shiva temple behind Mullik Ghat...
On my way back, down the over bridge, I found a woman selling a bag full of 'Dhutro-Phool' this is used as offerings only to Lord Shiva!!!
In total, an unique experience... I had never been to the river side during this time ever in my life... I wadded knee deep in water to take the 'Torpon' photographs... Got my jeans wet in the process... Felt the squilching mud under my feet... but enjoyed the experience... much to the amusement of my father & uncle....
2 comments:
Sotti...the essenceof being an bengali has been captured here..
photo qulty and res is veryy good.. keep it uppppppp
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