Autumnal Revelry Of Dashain-Tihar (When The Fervour Of The Season Makes Darjeeling Hill Folks Exult) Poem by Somdev Mukherjee

Cottony cirrus clouds galore
Across the blue sky sail,
While dark nimbus ones depart-
Announcing monsoon's farewell.

Emerald green hills around
Get bedecked in aureate hues
Of bountiful marigold blooms-
Spreading autumn's advent-news.

The smiling autumnal sun
With its mellowed golden rays
Bestows upon the cheerful folks
Pleasant and fruitful days.

With nature at its munificent best
Seasonal festivities commence-
Phool-Patti's vibrant rituals
Welcome home Mother Goddess.

Worship of the Divine Mother
With great pomp and gaiety
Fill the hearts of one and all
With a sense of blissful purity.

While bidding the Mother adieu
Dashain rituals are observed
With bright Tika marks on brows
Joy's win over gloom is preserved.

As the balmy days go by,
And the moon starts waning
Comes the time of Tihar- with
Bright musical nights beckoning.

At the onset of the festival
Ritual feeding commences
Of common birds and animals
That may have divine alliances.

The new moon night following
Is the bright festival of Diyas-
These earthen lamps seek to
Dispel darkness from all arenas.

Finally, it's time for Bhai Tika
A family occasion to rejoice-
Celebrating sibling bond with
Sel rotis, other dishes of choice.

Thus pass the festive days
Of enthralling hues and flavours,
Filling the lives of hill folks
With Creator's choicest treasures.