Post second arag of Chhath puja-at sunrise-when most people start winding down and plan to get back to their routine work, our excitement level is umpteen. This is ‘Saptami morning’.

Idols are getting painted; people of all ages, castes and backgrounds flock the mandap, standing for hours on end and admiring the joyfully chaotic environment. The same questions at everyone’s lips: will the idols be ready by Ashtami, what time will be ‘Bhagwati ghar’, what’s the programme across 3 nights, if shehnai is also coming and much more…

I still remember countlessly exclaiming, “so glad its Saptami today!”. Tomorrow is ‘Maha Ashtami’. At dusk, some light decorations have taken their effect while bamboo poles are erected to ascertain barricades and preparations around the stage-that hosts 3 nights of cultural activities. The Mela is finally coming to life with shops of all varieties bursting with colourful balloons, sweets, rides – the list is endless.

Now it’s Ashtami morning. The day that’s been highly anticipated for an entire year. Greeting everyone with ‘Happy Ashtami’, the enthusiasm is now at its cusp. Idols have started taking final shape, their beauty is simply mesmerising; flower and electric decorations on and around mandap further adding to the fervour. The whole village has turned into a dreamland with one big extended family.

It is now time for ‘Bhagwati ghar’. It is considered that goddess has come to her ‘maika’ and we all are welcoming Her. Shehnai, brass band, electric decorations and display of fireworks – all just making the environment divine. People of all ages are overwhelmed by the emotions and lost in ‘bhakti ras’ with chants of ‘Jagadhatri maharani ki jai!’. This is the moment that I live for, in fact, the moment everyone belonging to my village lives for. The Puja has finally begun.