There’s that happy vibe again and the fragrance of festivities is in the air. Streets are bustling with people lively and chirpy. With Ma Durga gracing our homes, the city prepares to welcome her with joy, lots of love and hopes for better times. What doesn’t change though is the emotion, the feeling of nostalgia, redecorating our spaces and mostly celebrations with our loved ones.
This year, it’s a feeling of relief and happiness, both combined in one. While we hustle and bustle to match with the WFH/office scenes and shopping, here is a subtle reminder to revamp that one element which has supported you with health and happiness. We spend endless hours selecting and styling different outfits for each day of the Puja celebrations. A simple question: if we can deck up, why not do the same with our house and deck it up with some greens in order to add to the festive celebration, a sense of calm, purity and more positivity to our surroundings and atmosphere.
I am here to share a few quick and easy DIY tips to make your home festive-ready.
Get started:
•Take some time off and clear out the old pots.
•Plan the new look before you get started.
•If possible, colour-coordinate the pots with your decor.
•Paint/reuse or see if you can upcycle them (mosaic flooring or even artistic figures can be made with those old pot).
•Find new ceramic planters or pots from your nearest local vendors. You can even go fancy, depending on your budget and requirements.
•Make sure you have healthy, good-looking plants in your containers.
•Add different plant colours to your arrangements.
My resolution this year was to spread as many greens as I could. So as a festive resolution, I have vouched to plant one tree, sapling, or get one green addition on each of the 10 auspicious days. That is my token of love for Ma for giving us the strength and energy to tide over the past year and to welcome her back with so much spirit and fervour.
Here are some of my festive picks, highlighted for the most auspicious days:
Panchami: An indoor happy plant like a pink Syngonium is a beautiful addition to any room decor. With its volume, it automatically adds charm to the side of your sofa, carefully paired with a sleek tall planter, giving it that classy edge. I use a tall glass vase filled with water to add the water vibes.
Sashthi: The tall areca palms and some tulsi on either side of the entrance with beautiful alpana made around it is a personal favourite. This is how I requested Ma to grace my home. Sashthi marks the day of symbolic offerings to Durga Ma and I bow to her with folded hands, seeking her grace and the strength to stand tall.
Ashtami: This is the most auspicious day of the 10 days and it is believed to be the toughest day of the battle with Mahishasura. The ultimate feminine epitome of strength for Ma, my selection for this day is the red hibiscus. I’ve decided to add hibiscus to my balcony and Puja room. Hibiscus is a plant with multiple dimensions that are yet to be discovered by mankind.
Dashami: Marking the last day of the 10-day celebration, this is the day we bid goodbye to Ma with hopes of her coming back soon next year. We pray silently and seek her blessings and power. The power to bring change and fight against evil led her to be victorious and driving that sense of passion from her, I have vouched to plant 10 sapplings/ trees/ plants or even seeds in my backyard with the hopes of taking care of them throughout the year till she comes back next year and witnesses the change her vigour brought to the world.
It might sound unrealistic but the truth is, a small act can create the biggest of changes. Celebrations vary from person to person, society to society, but what remains the same is the mutual love and respect towards that faith.
This year, I vouch to change the way I celebrate, for the greater good. And it isn’t that difficult.
Here’s wishing you all a safe, happy, beautiful, decked-up (home and you) happy Durga Puja. Let those greens smile back at you, as you add them to your celebrations.
Monika Poddar owns plant boutique Chlorofyl. Reach her on @ChlorofylKol (FB) and @chlorofyl_giftinggreens (IG)