The visit to Kali Bari Mandir Marg in New Delhi

The visit to Kali Bari Mandir Marg in New Delhi

Having reached national capital from Kolkata just a day before Dussehra, i was too tired to try out varying options. The best bet was to visit Kali Bari in mandir marg. Just a little before 1 in the afternoon i reached Kali Bari with the hope that if i am not able to take part in the rituals at least i would be able to savour the prasad bhog.

 The queue for prasad bhog was nowhere to be seen. Just under 10 minutes as i returned from Kali temple the serpentine queue and the people who were surplus to join them was the unfolding sight. I managed to get in a few metres away from where a range of taps are placed. Why i insist on calling it serpentine is the fact that though it may not look fairly long but once the devotees begin to get inside for prasad, the realisation dawns that those who were ahead of you were multiplying every minute.

Here i was amidst people who seem to be too tired to stand for the entire duration and scooped a sitting advantage whereever they could sight one. I was no exception, and secured the same advantage ranging from stairs to platforms. The wait lengthening, i ventured out once to take tea which was not hard to find. More than a handful could be seen gorging on eating options available across the road. Getting back to the queue was more desirable as it entailed the risk that if i didn't  join soon the people may skip the possibility to place me .

Temple administrators comprising young blood could be seen making repeated announcements for switching the lights in the prasad bhog ground. People were heard saying "Ek ghanta se besi lage". A little after half past two we entered the prasad bhog hall after it had been clinically swept by volunteers. Ours was the second group and the seating capacity this time was close to 500. At least in the entire ground which is utilised for watching plays in the evening the seating capacity for taking prasad bhog could easily touch over 500. Before prasad bhog is distributed Durga Ma Ke Jay rents the air  and the man overseeing seating arrangements is the force behind it. I could place him despite having no link with Pujo celebrations in the national capital since 2008 for reasons it would be better to not spell out.

Prasad bhog comprised of pulao, one mixed vegetable, tomato serving and kheer. Though kheer came after inordinate delay, the pulao served on three different occasions made up for that shortfall. Kheer as part of prasad bhog has been too tempting to be missed. And this temptation largely drew me to Kali Bari after 2008. In 2008 as well, i could go just once despite staying in the national capital for the entire pujo duration.
All in all a visit to the temple which had the best arrangement made possible by temple administrators and volunteers. A place that has a large contingent of public and volunteers chip in with their bit shows the best in us.