Devi Durga visits Melbourne

Durga Puja, the biggest and the most happening festival in a Bengali’s life, was celebrated with much devotion, fanfare and gaiety by the Bengali Puja and Cultural Society of Victoria (BPCSV) on October 2-4, at the Oakleigh Mechanics Hall. The grand festivity was attended by almost 400 members of the Bengali community in Victoria. A resplendent idol of Devi Durga slaying the demon Mahishasura was the cynosure of all eyes. She indeed represented Shakti riding a raging lion and holding aloft the ten weapons of war in her ten hands. The deity, made from fibreglass and sourced from Basberia near Kolkata, was striking and impressive. Tradition, culture, and heritage took centrestage as the fragrance of dhunuchi, spring flowers and incense pervaded the air and enlivened the atmosphere. It was time for the community to re-connect and catch up with friends and family.

Men in embellished dhotipanjabi, women draped in jamdaani, baluchari, tant or tangail saris and teenagers and children in their best traditional attire chatted in leisurely fashion.

This year marked the 6th anniversary of the Puja which began on a modest scale and has now grown into a major affair, stated BPCSV President Prabir Choudhury. The Puja was executed with fervent passion, adhering to the sacred rites and rituals. Different ceremonies associated with it like the Chandi Puja, Nabapatrika Prakash, main Ashtami Puja, Shondhi Puja, Anjali, etc. were performed with solemn devotion by priest Dr Jagannath Chatterjee before the large crowd of worshippers. Fruit and sweets as prasad and a sumptuous bhog comprising were served on each day of the celebration. Sindoor Khela by the ladies marked the joyous end of festivities.

The highlights of the Ashtami revelry were the children’s drawing competition and the cultural programme, which had talented artists from the community performing classical dances and making Bengali music. Singer Mrs Shilpi Dey deserves a special mention for her stirring and heartfelt rendering of modern Bengali songs that left the audience spellbound. She is definitely a talent to watch.

The celebration also demonstrated the laudable facet of mixed marriages in multicultural Australia. Ms Rhonda Walker, an Australian of English heritage and married to a Bengali keenly participated in the festivities. “The community is extremely warm and accepting of me. Every year I learn something new and different …so much so, that now I’ve started wearing the sari and speaking the language quite well,” said Rhonda. The BPCSV Durga Puja undoubtedly exhibited the true spirit behind the most important of all festivals for Bengalis. It truly symbolized the essence of passion for the Bangla culture, its emotions and its ultimate joy in celebration.

Madhuchanda Das