THE AUTUMN SEASON
introduction -a period of transition the look of the earth-time of the season festivals – related to our tradition-conclusion)
If spring is the king of the seasons, autumn will be the monarch of the seasons. With the earth getting more and more polluted each year, the subtleties of spring are felt less and less each year. Only by God’s grace, the presence of autumn is still felt but its glories are fading fast.
Autumn is a period of transition from rain to winter. It comes washed and cleaned by rain. The sultry weather of the rainy season is over. There is a pleasant coolness in the air. The sky glows with multi coloured clouds in the evening. The monsoon wind has receded back. The sky remains clean. Lonely clouds float like boats scattered over the blue sea. Fields covered with golden crops wear a smiling appearance. The morning remains bright and cool. One bursts with energy and enthusiasm in this season.
Autumn season is divided into two parts; early autumn and late autumn. Autumn begins in September and continues till November. In Odia calendar autumn spreads over three months, Aswina, Kartik and Margashir. Towards the last part of the autumn dew starts to fall.
Autumn is a period of festivity. Everywhere Saradiya Utsava is organized to celebrate the spirit of the season. In this season the MOST important festival of India – Durga Puja is celebrated with uCn pomp and show. And Durga Puja is followed by the festival Of light, Diwali. Diwali is a festival of light, fireworks, sweets and religious ceremonies.
Autumn season is associated with Odia tradition and culture. In autumn wind starts to blow from north. In the past the merchants of Odisha start their voyage to Java, Sumatra and Bali islands in the month of Kartik. Getting a favourable wind their boats sail well towards their destinations. Their trade and commerce had made Odisha aich country. It is all the things of the past now. The menthol has evaporated but the tattered cloth is left as a souvenir. To remember that glorious past we celebrate Boita Bandana Utsav, the full-moon day of Kartika. On this occasion splendid fares are organized at Balipadia of Cuttack, at Paradeep, at Tirtol, at Gopalpur, at Dhamra and at many other places. Instead of spending this day in merrymaking we must introspect how we can achieve our lost glory. It is a shame that we the people of Odisha are unworthy sons of our predecessors who have made Kalinga; the erstwhile Odisha, a rich, prosperous and brave state. We must aspire to regain it.