The Durga Puja celebration of “The Bengalee Association, Bangalore” is not only the oldest and largest in Bangalore but one of the top five in India in terms of size, decoration and footfalls. During the four days of Puja, on an average 2 lacs people visit our Pandal during puja days. This is their 68th Durga Puja which will be celebrated from 25th to 30th September, 2017 at the Manpho Convention Center, Bangalore.
This year, the Puja has shifted from the RBANMS Grounds to a much larger venue, The Manpho Convention Centre, Next to Manyata Tech Park, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore to accommodate the large number of visitors and the request from Bangaloreans
Their Puja is much beyond a religious activity and has transformed into a major social event where thousands of people meet & greet each other, spend many hours enjoying cultural program, offering pushpanjali to the goddess, shopping from business promotion stalls and relishing wide variety of Bengali cuisine from food stalls.
Folk culture which is the grassroots of Bengali culture will be highlighted during this year Durga Puja days with songs, dance, music and many more. Bauls (folk singers) will be seen around in different areas entertaining the visitors and enhancing the ambience in such a manner so as to provide a feeling of “Home away from home”. Last year, they portrayed world renowned Artist Jamini Roy and his creation as part of their Durga Puja to celebrate his 130th Birth Anniversary. The theme of this year is “Advent of Devi Durga on a Boat by integrating the rich culture of Bengal Folk of Baul & Bhatiali (Boatman Song)”.
Apart from Puja, Pushpanjali and the customary Prasad, there will be service through Bhog distribution during lunch hours on Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.
A few salient features of this year’s Durga Puja:
- Anandamela and Children’s Talent Show to encourage Bengali cuisine and culture.
- Cultural extravaganza in the evenings through in-house artists as well as artists from Kolkata.
- “Dhunuchi Nritya” competition on Maha Ashtami and the much sought-after Dandiya on Maha Navami .
- “Sindur Khela” by the ladies followed by Bisharjan (immersion) procession on Bijoya Dasami will take place on the concluding day.
- A spacious Food Court with around 50 stalls providing varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, extensive and secure car and two-wheeler parking facilities.
To offer the rich flavour of Bengal folk music to the people of Bangalore, they are bringing in folk performing artists from West Bengal. They are also organising Dandiya on Mahanabami night where everyone will dance together to the rhythmic beats of Dandiya along with Dhak.
They believe, Durga Puja is not just a religious ritual for this group. A large part of fund they raise from the Puja is used for a wide range of philanthropic activities in Bangalore and beyond. So, “The Bengalee Association, Bangalore” not only spreads the rich culture and warmth of Bengal in Bangalore, it also works as a catalyst to become an integral part of the society and demography of Karnataka.
