Durga Puja: the kaleidoscope of culture, heritage and feel good moments

Srishti Pathak

The news broke like fire that UNESCO inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

As a second generation Bengali in the US, I have always been a part of one of the biggest Durgapujas in the Bay Area, named “Silicon valley Sarbojonin Durgotsav” and this news has given me one more reason to not only stay connected to my roots but also to spread the wings and let the world know about the beauty of holding onto a culture and heritage which is so beautiful, so strong and yet so valuable.

Durga Puja represents the collective worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga, the demon-slayer. During this time, masterfully designed clay models of the Goddess are worshiped in “pandals” or pavilions where communities get together and celebrate. Artistic excellence, culinary, craft, and cultural traditions add to the dynamism of this celebration.

A few years ago, only five or six Durga Pujas were held in the Bay Area. Years passed, the pandemic got over and suddenly we see that this year, the number of Durga Pujas has proliferated to a whopping twenty. Like Kolkata, many small towns in the Bay Area have their own pujas, and expatriate Bengalis are jubilant about these “neighborhood pujas”.

Yes, the Durga pujas of the Bay Area are more than often overcrowded with both newcomers and homesick locals, but every puja brings a new charm to its plate– whether it be a superstar singer from Kolkata or the puja mandap decoration layout, or a priest from Kolkata, Bengalis of Bay Area do not want to miss any of the big or small Durga Pujas to satisfy their cravings for a piece of their heritage.

Last year another history was created in the Bay Area during Durgapuja. Dr. Sayanti Bhattacharya officiated the puja at the Silicon Valley Sarbojanin (People’s) Durgotsav, which marked her as the first female priestess (one who performs sacred rites in pujas) living outside India. The SVS Durgotsav was covered by many media in India.

With every passing year, I see the growth of our community people, the zeal to do something more for the community, and the essence of Durga Puja seems to be getting stronger. I feel fortunate to be a part of this endeavor. Being a high schooler, this festive season, I took the responsibility of raising funds for the less fortunate ones during our Durga puja. So please come one and all to experience the rhythm of Dhaak (a special instrument),the smell of dhoop (incense sticks), shopping, food and artistry at our Durga puja at Newark junior High school on September 24th and 25th and let’s create some beautiful memories together.

I have experienced how our beautiful heritage and culture have been slowly and steadily becoming an integral part of this country. I want to share my experience with you too. And I am sure that one day just like the powerful mantra says… the whole world will also chant Asato Ma Sadgamaya …Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya….Mrtyorma Amrtam gamaya.. Om Shanti Shanti Ignorance, lead me to truth… from darkness, lead me to light… from death, lead me to immortality… Om peace… peace… peace!