The Aura of Fire

You make us bow to your aura

You are there with us in happiness and sorrow

You have the prowess to forge

And also destruct...

A fire has been an integral part of every civilization in the world. In the right hands, it has built. In the wrong hands, it has destroyed. The fire has been a part of the cycle of life. It has been with us for the mundane moments. It has also been with us for both the happy and not so happy moments of life.

                The bonding of fire with every religion has been quite strong all over the world. This picture, clicked sometime in 2016, was during the Indian Festival of Dussehra. This festival is known by various names, in different quarters of India. In Bengal, we call it the Durga Puja. This festival signifies the destruction of evil (the demons), by the good (the Goddess Durga). It is unfortunate that being a Bengali myself, I have never had the opportunity to witness the festivities in Bengal. The next best thing was to spend time in the various cultural associations in Bangalore, which celebrated this festival. Each year, I  have selected a theme for myself and tried to click pictures accordingly. In 2016, the focus was on the traditional oil lamp, placed at the feet of the Goddess. This lamp, burns all through the time, that the Mother Goddess is amongst us. The festival is incomplete, without this auspicious lamp.