The Bengali community in Auckland came in huge numbers to participate in the grand Durga Puja celebrations in Onehunga.
Probasee Bengali Association of New Zealand organised the three-day event from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2, at NZ Athia Trust Hall.
The décor and ambience of the do truly transported one back to the traditional Kolkata-style celebration of the biggest festival of the Bengali community.
The 31st NZ Sarbojonin Durgotsav saw more than numerous community members gracing the event. Interestingly, in the last 31 years that Probasee has been organising Durga Puja, there has been one common factor: the same priest named Debes Bhattacharyya has been conducting it successfully, and this year was no different.
"Probasee welcomed Maa Durga with utmost love, frolic and devotion. Our three-day event began with our quintessential Agomoni (awakening) programme, which was based on ‘Akaal Bodhon’. This signifies the worship of Durga Maa in the month of Ashwin, an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship,” said Raima Roy, one of Probasee’s cultural secretaries.
On Friday evening, ladies dressed in their ethnic best took up their rolling pins to dish out 'Luchis' (puri) for the crowd. Saturday evening saw kids performing energetic performances, which were enjoyed by one and all.
The final morning consisted of little ones honing in on their artistic abilities through traditional activities to celebrate Durga puja back home. Another highlight of the last day was a glamorous fashion walk where participants of all ages showcased their exquisite traditional attires.
“We ended our event with the Dashami Puja followed by a traditional 'Dhunuchi Naach' - Flashmob by us and our sister organisation, which was an absolute delight for everyone in the crowd," said Madhurima Chatterjee, another cultural secretary of Probasee.
Shopan Dasgupta, Probasee's General Secretary, added, “After two years of everyone's life having changed permanently due to the pandemic, it was indeed very challenging yet refreshing and rejuvenating to organise and celebrate Durga Puja this year with our members together."
The event was also graced by many dignitaries, including Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, Swami Tadananda of Sri Rama Krishna Vedanta Centre and Jeet Suchdev of Bharatiya Samaj, among others.
Mr Suchdev, who has been visiting Durgapuja for Puspanjali for the last two decades, felt nostalgic. He said, "It makes him feel nostalgic, as he remembers his past in West Bengal.”
Mr Dhillon mentioned that he loved the energy around and was seen relishing the Prasadam. He tweeted, "Blessed to be invited for auspicious divine celebrations and partook traditional Bengali lunch in Onehunga Auckland."
Even the guests couldn’t stop gushing about the event and how it was organised.
"It was great to be part of such a celebration. The idea of hosting such a big show is to ensure the community enjoys the same enthusiasm for Durga Puja as it is celebrated in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. I felt truly blessed,” said Debasmita Ghosh, one of the attendees.
Another enthusiastic performer, Sriparna Mitra, a Kiwi Indian who attended the event with her two sons, aged six and eight said, "Coming to such cultural events is a great way to keep our children in touch with their culture. It is incredible to see them continue this tradition of a great celebration even away from our home country.”
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