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Monday, October 6, 2008

Durga Puja Wales, UK

WALES DURGA PUJA COMMITTE



Puja Venue - Penyrheol Community Centre
Penyrheol,
Caerphilly, CF83 2PE
South Wales


For further information regarding Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Diwali celebration, please contact:

Shankar Das - 02920563356

Dr. Sandip Raha - 01656-768327 or skraha@doctors.org.uk

Dipak Kundu - 02920419406 or dkk@ntlworld.com



HISTORY OF DURGA PUJA IN WALES
By Dr. Sandip Raha


In 1973 few like-minded Bengalis in South Wales arranged Saraswati Puja in the house of a Doctor in Nelson, Mid Glamorgan. This was probably the first recorded Sarbajanin Puja in Wales. There amongst other things the idea of doing Durga Puja later in the year was seeded and 3 doctors’ and their family decided to organise Durga Puja which was held in the bedroom of Dr & Mrs Sen in Nelson. Puja was performed by Dr Chatterjee and on a painted canvas of Durga brought from Calcutta.

In 1974 first Sarbajanin Durga Puja was held in 28 The Parade, Roath, Cardiff with active participation of nearly 10 families and priest being one of our present priests Dr Acharya. The name of Wales Puja Committee was established many years later (around 1982) and a clay Durga Protima was sculptured by Mr Ghatak in Cardiff, which was subsequently worshipped by Wales Puja Committee till 1990.

In 1991 a new Durga Protima was brought from Kumartoli, Calcutta and for the first time in Wales high quality Image of Goddess Durga and associates was displayed and worshipped by Wales Puja Committee. 28 years later Wales Puja committee still performs Durga Puja every year with great pomp and show during five days in autumn. Our present Protima (second one from India) was bought from Kumartoli, Kolkata, 5 years ago.

In 1992 Wales Puja Committee for the first time in UK organised Immersion of Protima in Cardiff. Six of our members went on a Boat into the Bristol Channel and performed VISARJAN 2 km. From shore.

This year we are organising for the first time in UK, “MAKING OF DURGA” – Art of Hindu Image Making in Cardiff from 1 November for 3 weeks when two accomplished scluptors are coming from Krishnagar- Kolkata and making full size Durga and associate Images from the beginning. This project is funded by The Arts Council of Wales.


WALES PUJA COMMITTEE (Registered Charity 1050138)

Our organisation was formed nearly 28 years ago in South Wales by a small group of Indian people who wanted to celebrate Asian festivals and perform Puja (worship). Initially in 1973 it started in a doctor’s house and subsequently moved out to community puja in 1974 at 28 The parade, Roath, Cardiff. In last 15 years it has grown from strength to strength and we got registered as charity 6 years ago.
The objectives of the organisation are the advancement of the Hindu religion and Indian culture in South Wales amongst local and Asian population. At present we have over 375 families as members and we hold following regular activities every year in and around Cardiff & South Wales:

DURGA PUJA IN OCTOBER EVERY YEAR (OVERFOUR DAYS) FOR THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AS WELL AS LOCAL POPULATION. CULTURAL EVENING AT THE CONCLUSION OF DURGA PUJA IN OCTOBER.

KALI PUJA IN NOVEMBER, DEPICTING GOODESS OF POWER AND DESTRUCTION. DIWALI CELEBRATION IN NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR WITH ASIAN MUSIC MUCH LOVED BY YOUNG ASIANS AND SECOND GENERATION ASIAN BORN IN THIS COUNTRY.

SARASWATI PUJA (GODDESS OF LEARNING) IN JAN-FEB. EVERY YEAR WITH CULTURAL PROGRAMME IN THE EVENING.

WE ALSO ORGANISE CHILDRENS’ ART COMPETITION DURING OUR FESTIVALS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMME BY VISITING ARTISTS FROM INDIAN SUBCONTINENT AS WELL AS LOCAL TALENTS (ASIAN MUSIC & DANCE). WE ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO PERFORM IN OUR FESTIVALS AND PROMOTE THEIR ART & MUSICAL TALENTS.

MEMBERSHIP: Full Membership is open to any Hindu person of 18 years and above who is interested in the work of the committee. Associate membership is open to anyone who attended our festivals or performances and supports our activities.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICE BEARERS FOR 2008-2009

CHAIRPERSON: Dr Ranjit Sinha Ray

VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Mr Dipak Kundu

SECRETARY: Dr Subash Das

TREASURER: Dr Ashok Mukherjee

ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLICITY: Mrs Banani Sinha Ray & Mr Kingshuk Nath

EVENT OFFICER: Dr Sandip Raha

CATERING: Mrs Utsha( Shikha)Das & Mrs Sarada Shrama

There are six trustee members and committee meets 6-8 times a year for organisational reasons in 28 The Parade, Road, Cardiff. We have also raised and donated money to various national disaster appeals in last 4 years including cyclone victims in India, Flood victims in Bangladesh & India, Earthquake victims in Gujrat, India etc.

Our fund is raised from individual donations from members during our festivals and printing of souvenir during our main festival Durga Puja in October every year. We also raise some money during Diwali celebration in November, as the event is ticket only. All our activities have a very strong family and community bonding as well as opportunity of learning for second generation Asian born and brought up in UK.

We actively promote involvement of the younger generation in all our activities and welcome people from all communities to participate. We have local primary school children attending our festivals to learn about Indian culture and religion as well as local press and news media to publicise our events. All of our events are directly mailed to members and local community on regular basis.
for more details visit: http://www.pujainwales.com/index.html

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