For the country's pride and equestrian prodigy Anush Agarwalla, not spending Puja in his hometown of Kolkata is a sad but harsh reality. Usually consumed by his routine practice, Anush still reminisces about Durga Puja and Navratri in Kolkata, striking a mature balance between missing home during this time of the year and his professional commitments. Fresh off a historic double-medal campaign at the Asian Games 2023, he spoke to My Kolkata about what Puja means to him
My Kolkata: Do you usually spend Durga Puja in Kolkata? If not, where and how do you spend the Puja days?
Anush Agarwalla: Unfortunately, I’ve usually been in Germany training over the last seven years and have not been in India during Puja. I haven’t been able to attend most of the festivals, be it Holi or Diwali, owing to my calendar.
Any special outfit for Puja this year? If not, what do you usually wear or is there any special shopping tradition?
Haha, since I'm not here, there is no shopping tradition for clothes or specific outfits that I can think of, which I keep aside for these months.
Is there a special event or tradition (personal or ritualistic) that you follow during Durga Puja?
We have Navaratri at home. We have a tradition of chandi-paath in the family, and for nine days we do not eat or drink outside. There are extensive puja arrangements at our family factory and everybody gets together to worship the goddess with pomp and ceremony.
One of Anush’s cherished Durga Puja memories is pandal hopping in Kolkata with his father
Do you have a special memory associated with Durga Puja in Kolkata or elsewhere?
As a child, I remember pandal hopping with my mother, fascinated by the aura of the deities around. The Navaratri Puja has been happening in our house over the last 18 years, but pandal hopping across Kolkata before that, is one Puja memory that I hold very close.
What is your favourite Durga Puja-time food?
The Navami bhog of halwa puri is an all-time favourite. There is a beautiful sense of comfort and peace to it.
One power of Durga you wish you had and why?
For me, anything that pushes me away from my goal is evil. So, if I could have a power of Maa Durga, it would certainly be one that helps me wash away any lure of deviation from within.