Every Bengali across the globe terribly miss Kolkata during the Durga puja festivals. Nostalgic they try and recreate Kolkata's puja ambience in their local community halls with much devotion, pomp and gaiety. The weather in Britain is unlike that in Kolkata during Durga puja. With chilly winds and autumn setting in, people are in their layers, but you will still see women in traditional sarees, men in Indian kurtas disembarking the tube, bus, cars and taxis, happiness radiant on their faces.
Keeping these happy faces in mind, Dr Sumit Konar, a postdoctoral researcher in University of Edinburgh, originally from Burdawan has created an interactive google map that tells you where your nearby Puja in the UK is. With 40+ organisations who have already provided their informations on this map, it intends to give you a comprehensive idea of all the Durga pujas that are being held in the UK.
Speaking to Asian Voice he said, “The UK Bengali population is floating. This map will be particularly helpful for those who are new to the UK and will help them to plan for proper 'Puja Parikroma'. The map also allows Puja organisers to share photos and Puja schedule. When you look at the map, you can see several dots. It tells you where the pujas are being held. When you click on them, you see details about those pujas and whatever informations the organisers have provided. I expect the numbers on the map to grow till the puja and my next plan is to launch an app. That will make porikroma even more easy.”
Hindu Pragati Sangha in Mile End, East London is one of the oldest Pujas in London. Like every year it is organising their puja at 33 Rhondda Grove, East London, on the premises of their temple. The puja was established in 1977, though initially held in community and school halls, it moved to a freehold building in 1985.
An organisation called Spandan was formed 7 years back when a number of like-minded Bengalis decided to create a piece of Bengal right here in Croydon, South London. It was formed to re-create and preserve the rich Bengali tradition down the lineage. But Spandan Croydon Durga Pujo started last year at Katherine Street and was deemed a resounding success based on the spontaneity of the people, their feedback, and the fabulous times. They are celebrating Durga puja again this year from 27th till 30th September. It will also include cultural activities involving the younger generations.
The Essex Indians in Brentwood are organising their second durga puja at the Bishop Hall Community centre. The puja decorations are inspired from Kalighat's 'Potua' locality, the idol is created by Sanatan Rudra Pal and much of the decorations will also be contributed by the famous Neel Kaushik. Cultural activities will involve youngsters, and their puja will be from 29th September to 1st October. They will also live stream durga puja celebrations at Paschim Vihar in Delhi on 29th September.
London's famous Camden puja is in its 54th year. Like previous years, the London Durga Puja Dusserah Committee will start the festivities from 27 September till 1 October 2017 at Camden Centre, London. Programmes will include dance drama viz. 'Mahishashura Mardini' as well as 'Agomoni songs' by young students from Dakshinayan UK. Bengal's famous Lopamudra Mitra and Joy Sarkar will be performing live here on 1st October and a reunion by BE College and Jadavpur University alumni in the UK will be hosted on 29th and 30th September.
London Sharad Utsav (LSU) is organising their pujo at the famous Ealing Town hall, in West London, from 28th September to 1st October including their famous 'Kumari Pujo'. This year their cultural performances by LSU’s own artists, Bollywood night by local band Eastern Euphony and beauty contest for ladies ‘Debi’. On the final day, LSU is going to host a premiere of upcoming Bengali movie ‘Projapati Biscuit’ from the makers of Praktan, Posto and Open Tee Bioscope.
Aadi Shakti near Uxbridge, North West London is organising a puja for the first time. It will be held at Harefield Academy, Nothwood way from 29 September till 1st October.
Not only in London, Manchester, North West Bengali Hindu Cultural Association will also celebrate Durga Puja festival at Indian Association of Oldham, in Oldham, from Tuesday 26th September to Saturday 30th September.
Milton Keynes Ananda Club (MKAC) is celebrating it's 29th Durga Puja this year with high spirit. Over the years the club has growth from strength to strength expanding in every way, reliving the spirit of Durga pujo thousands of miles away from where it originates, making sure the younger generation is able to taste the spirit of the single biggest Hindu Bengali celebration to the fullest. In the words of Sourav Auddy, the Joint Treasurer of MKAC, "What started back in 1989 in Milton Keynes, with 11 families, today has come to be UKs largest durga puja celebrated in a Marquee, over 650 square meters (>7000 sq ft) area, hosting nearly 5000 visitors over the five day festival" They will host Durga Puja celebrations from 26th to 29th September this year in Ashton, Northamptonshire, (NN7 2JN) and also to be a part of the Bollywood musical extravaganza on 14th October in Milton Keynes.
Shrimoyee Chakraborty's restaurant Calcutta Street in London is organising a special feast over 4 days to celebrate Durga puja, combined with Storytelling, Antakshari, live music and a set menu of authentic Bengali food.
Idol making
Bengal Heritage Project which is a joint initiative of LSU, School of Oriental and African Studies of London University will showcase Bengal’s idol making to the world. Under this initiative of famous idol maker Kaushik Ghosh, clay idols will be made live in front of the Puja visitors. The artists’ demonstration will bring the sculpting art of Kolkata to the SOAS premises together with a rich ensemble of heritage textiles, jewellery and other artefacts showcasing historical connections in the India-UK year of culture. The clay sculpting process will be open to viewing on 2nd-3rd and 5th-7th October.
