The Atomic Maze: A Festival of Strength- Subho Durga Pujo

She had always been a deep thinker. As a child, her mind felt like a vast, untamed universe—endless with possibilities, much like the intricate details of Durga Puja pandals. However, as she grew older, her thoughts shifted from being a playground of curiosity to a confusing labyrinth, similar to the winding paths of the goddess’s chariot during the Durga procession.

For most people, Durga Puja is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness—a vibrant homage to Goddess Durga's triumph over the demon Mahishasura. But for her, the festival often brought feelings of anxiety and stress. The weight of expectations, the fear of making mistakes, and a constant stream of worries threatened to consume her, much like Mahishasura's menace toward Durga.

While others celebrated in the festive air, she saw the subtle, hidden pressures beneath it. There was an unspoken expectation to belong, to be accepted, to fit in with everyone’s happiness. The fear of social rejection felt as overwhelming as the fear of failure itself. She also felt immense pressure to have the best clothes, to look perfect and stylish, to fit in with the crowd.

One afternoon, while pandal hopping with her family, she found herself lost—physically and mentally—amidst the crowded streets and vibrant decorations. As she stood in the middle of the chaos, she realized her mind was also stuck in a maze of overthinking. Her worries twisted and turned, like Mahishasura tangled in Durga’s divine lasso, holding her hostage.

Determined to find a way out, she remembered reading about the power of small habits, or atomic habits. She decided to approach her mental maze with this mindset, believing that, like Goddess Durga’s journey through the battle, she could conquer her mental struggles one small step at a time.

Her first step was practicing mindfulness, focusing on the present moment without judgment. She began challenging her negative beliefs, replacing them with positive, realistic thoughts. She also reduced her exposure to social media, where constant comparisons only fueled her overthinking.

Slowly but surely, she began to navigate the maze of her own mind. She identified the dead-ends of self-doubt and fear and learned to avoid the traps of perfectionism and procrastination—much like the goddess dodging the demon’s deadly weapons. She began to discover hidden paths leading to creativity, courage, and self-compassion—her own divine strengths.

As she continued this journey, she realized her mind wasn’t a prison, but a space of exploration and growth. Like Goddess Durga’s chariot, a symbol of celebration and triumph, her thoughts became a place where she could create, imagine, and learn. She saw that her challenges were not enemies, but opportunities for growth, much like Durga’s battle led to her ultimate victory.

With this newfound clarity, she embraced Durga Puja in a different light. The festival was no longer just a celebration of victory over evil but a metaphor for life’s journey—where every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, just as Goddess Durga did in her battle.

However, we must acknowledge a sobering truth: not everyone finds this strength easily. For many, the pressures of life and festivals can be overwhelming. Data reveals that during festive seasons, suicide rates tend to spike, and in India, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported over 381 suicides during the 2021 Durga Puja period alone. Globally, studies show a similar trend, where the weight of expectations, loneliness, and mental health struggles intensify during holidays and festivals.

This tragic reality underscores the importance of addressing mental health, especially during these times of heightened social and emotional pressure. Goddess Durga’s story is a powerful reminder that, even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can emerge victorious. Her journey is not just about triumph over external demons but also about conquering the internal battles we face every day.

If you find yourself or someone you know struggling, remember that help is available, and the path forward doesn’t have to be walked alone. Just as Goddess Durga fought with courage and resilience, we, too, can find strength within ourselves to navigate life’s most difficult challenges.

Let this Durga Puja remind us to be compassionate—not only to others but to ourselves as well. We may be fighting invisible battles, but like Durga, we are capable of overcoming even the darkest moments.