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Durga Puja 2018 Celebrated at New Jersey. USA with the Bengali Flavors Intact
TNI News Service
Webdesk, TNI New Jersey, 31st October, 2018: The Durga Puja fever has now reached New Jersey, USA after Maa Durga left from Bengal and India one and half week ago. May be surprising however, by now it is known to the World that Durga Puja abroad is convenient weekend affair. Obviously, it should be within October every year. This time the puja days was fixed on 28th and 29th October 2018. This is a locality puja of Garden State, New Jersey and the people staying here along with the community center called Indian Community Center (ICC) are the organizers of this Durga Puja. The protima (idol) of Godesses Durga is not immersed here every year.
It is being brought from India and is worshipped every year (for 6-7 years). However, the main attraction is the cultural evenings, wherein the artist from Kolkata is being called in for their performance. This time it was the local stalls during the puja. The stalls comprised of Saree stalls to jewelry everything were there for sale. Apart from this there were stalls selling authentic Bengali snacks like chicken egg roll, vegetable chops, nolen gurer rosogolla, patishapta etc. Bengalis take part all along the puja preparation, performance and celebrations. 27th night was the time when the Pratima was set up and puja arrangements were done. Potluck Dinner was also arranged simultaneously. In the evening it was totally cultural with the local artists and a program by singer Protik Choudhury. On 28th everyone gathered for the main puja.
The priest completed Saptami, Asthami and Sandhi Puja on the same day. However, not to miss the traditional Bengali Grand old Anjali of course. In the same day the sit & draw competition for the kids was also organized along with the Bengali film Show of ‘Uma’ and the bhog bitoron. Sunday i.e. 29th was the last day of the puja which concluded with Navami and Dasami. The Yagna was performed and the Bisarjan was completed. However, Bengalis can’t miss the traditional sindoor khela, especially for the women. It was also performed after the lunch. Again it was the evening with cultural show. This day it was the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner Jimut Roy of 2017, who stole the show.
READ MORE: Durga Puja 2015 Starts at United States Today
Ultimately, the Durga Puja 2018 at Garden State, New Jersey, USA came to an end with a hope it will return with open arms next year. The President of ICC of New Jersey, Mrs. Arpita Gupta extended her heartfelt greetings to everyone on this festive occasion and said that the organization will remain committed to serve the community and bring in togetherness. The Executive committee always strives to do their best for the members and we always feel at home.
Photos: ICC, New Jersey, USA