Dusserah

Dusserah festival was observed with joy. During Dusserah we used to get up very early in the morning and went around in the fields to collect flowers – particularly for Dusserah we used to decorate with Torai flowers. Since there was competition among students to get more flowers for Pooja we used to go very early in the morning. At one place near Mosuru river we went inside a big garden where we used to collect varieties of flowers. It was so dangerous as early in the morning you cant see much and the place where we used to pluck the Torai flowers there is a big and deep pond below with full water. We used to wear new clothes and used to carry bow and arrow – these bow and arrows are specially made and sold for Pooja . These bow and arrows are decorated with colors.

When the Pooja takes place in the school, the Brahmin used to chant slokas and tell the story on Goddess Durga. While the chanting on, we used to throw Torai flowers on the Idol. While doing this, we used to throw the Torai seeds, which are very strong, at the Brahmin. Once the Pooja was over, we all stand in que with bow and arrow and go around the village with teachers singing songs on Dusserah. The village crowd used to stand on the sides of the roads. The villagers (affluent families) used to offer sweet dishes on the way.