Durga Puja in Virginia USA

Northern Virginia Bengali Association

The Northern Virginia Bengali Association (NVBA) is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Bengali culture in Virginia and neighboring communities. Every year since 1989, NVBA has been holding Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja, Kobi-dibash, and a summer picnic annually. NVBA promotes awareness of our Bengali and Indian cultural, ethnic, and religious heritage by organizing cultural events that involve traditional and contemporary songs, dramas, and dances.

Durgostav 2008 will be celebrated on October 11

at McLean High School

[Entrance via: Gate #9 (Rock gate)]
1633 Davidson Rd
McLean, VA 22101,

** Durga Puja Donation Rate **

(This includes lunch, dinner and cultural program)

Annual membership fee - $10
Family of four (with children below 18yrs.) - $70
Additional children 10yrs.-18yrs. - $10
Children below - 10 yrs. Free
Each parent - $10
Guest - $25
Student with ID - $20
Individual - $30
Non-member - Additional $10


History of Origin of Northern Virginia Bengali Association (NVBA)

Bengalis settled in the Northern Virginia area in the early Seventies. The Sixties had seen a small Bengali population make its home in DC and Maryland. The first ever Saraswati Puja was organized in 1967 and Durga Puja was celebrated by the community in 1973. The Bengalis of the area owe a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Mili Ghosh who brought the community together for a picnic as early as 1965. Her husband, Mr. Dhiren Ghosh, was one of the founders of Sanskriti in Maryland. That organization successfully continues to bring Bengalis together for community activities even today.

The Ghoshes moved in the Northern Virginia area in the late Eighties. They immediately felt a need for a community organization. Along with Subroto Samaddar, Tarak Bhar, Barin Chakraborty, Suranjan Dutta, Jitendra Laskar, Dev Kumar Kar, Tapan Majumdar, they established the Northern Virginia Bengali Association (NVBA).

In late 1991, a constitution was approved and elections were held in 1992. Mr. Asim Mandal was elected the President, Mr. Samir Nandi, the Secretary, and Mr. Subroto Mitro, the Treasurer. NVBA was registered with the IRS in January 1991 under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as a Non-Profit Association

NVBA has flourished in the Nineties and the early 2000s. The influx of highly educated IT professionals into the Northern Virginia area during the dot.com era has boosted NVBA's membership.

Today, NVBA has a robust membership. The leadership of the organization has been dynamic and entrepreneurial. NVBA has prospered financially, allowing the leadership to provide the community with pujas, celebrations, entertainments and picnics. The community has enjoyed performances by local artistes and those from back home.

Major NVBA milestones:
2002 - Creation of the NVBA website
2004 - Acquisition of NVBA's very own Durga Protima
2004 - Creation of the NVBA Puja magazine
2006 - Sponsor of Kalibari puja/bhog, Ananda Utsav and Puja magazine

NVBA Presidents:
1992 - Mr. Asim Mondol
1993 - Mr. Subroto Mitro
1994 - Mr. Dev Kumar Kar
1995 - Subrata Samaddar
1996 - Suranjan Dutta
1997 - Gautam Sinha
1998 - Tapan Majumdar
1999 - Bandana Sen
2000 - Prabhakar Ghosh
2001 - 2002 - Jolly Roy
2003 - Tarun Roy/Usha Gupta
2004 - Usha Gupta
2005 -Arindam Gupta
2006 - present - Jolly Roy

FOR FURTHER DETAILS VISIT: http://www.novaba.com