The mild fragrance of ‘Shiuli’ is all over the city. The ‘Dhakis’ are ready to take over Calcutta with their pulsating rhythms and beats. It’s time again. Ma Durga is arriving. Consisting of a series of rituals, this five day long home coming welcome of Ma Durga is close to every Bengali’s heart and soul. It means much more to us than just an age-old, traditional, religious festival. It’s a social, cultural and entertainment extravaganza, a season for reunion and rejuvenation. A time when the entire city of joy explodes into a shopping, eating and socialising frenzy, irrespective of the social and economic barriers.