Kumartuli artisans and Durga Puja

Suchetana Ray / CNN-IBN

Kolkata: Bengal's biggest festive carnival is here. The people behind the spirit of Bengali festivity are busy in the dingy lanes of Kumartuli, a potter's hub in Kolkata

This place has been in existence for over a century. Behind the faces of these goddesses are the hands of the artisans of Kumartuli. One such artisan, Biplab Pal, a fourth generation has been giving shape to the clay idol of goddess Durga, what his ancestors have been doing for the past 75 years.

They also make the towering idols of the Goddess which is a no mean task. Pal says, “Its difficult for others to do this. I can do it as it runs in my blood.” In 2005 the Pals launched a website to book idols online, so as an overseas puja organizer you just have log on to Kumartuli.com, click on 'photo gallery' and you will be spoilt for choice.

All you need to do now is book the idol you like. Though local organizers are yet to wake up to the idea of purchasing Durga idols online, the overseas response has been overwhelming with online purchases being made from as far New Zealand.

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Durga Puja Stuttgart Germany

Since 1995 Durga Puja is being celebrated in Stuttgart which is the capital city of the state Baden-Württemberg in South Germany. This year in 2008 Durga Puja will be celebrated for 13 years now.
It will be a great occasion like every year. Bengalis from South Germany come to enjoy the Puja at Stuttgart with our Purohit Mr. Ray from London. All new guests are welcome to take part in the devotion of Goddess Durga. Please help us to make this Puja a great success with your kind contributions. A contribution is required.

Location of Puja Mandap:
Gemeindezentrum St. Rupert
Koblenzer Str. 13
70376 Stuttgart
Busstop Hallschlag; Busroutes 52,55,56

Description from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Main station):
Take the S-Bahn S1, S2 or S3 upto Stuttgart Bad Cannstatt.
From there take the bus 52,55 or 56 upto Hallschlag.
Puja Mandap is just 5 minutes walking distance from the busstop Hallschlag.

Mr. Tushar Kanti Ganguly, Tel: (0711) 825890, Stuttgart, Germany durgapuja@ganguly.de

for more details visit: http://www.ganguly.de/durgapuja/durga.html

Durga Puja Stuttgart Durga Puja Germany Durga Puja Europe Durga Puja

Radio Misty releases Traffic guide for Durga Puja

MUMBAI: Siliguri Traffic Police today came to the aid of pandal-hoppers in town with guide map in association with Radio Misty 94.3 fm. Inspector General of police, North Bengal kundanlal tamta released this map at a function attended by senior police officials and puja organizers.
The map for Siliguri show direction of traffic movement, the locations of police assistance booths, helpline numbers, the names of big pandals and where they are located and the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for pandal-hoppers.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Tamta said that this map will help the people in many ways. People can locate puja mandaps with help of this map. About 250 pujas will be held in Siliguri, Pradhannagar and Bhaktinagar areas this year. Of them, 42 pandals have been identified as big ones that can draw huge crowd. During Pujas, 21 police assistance booths will be set up in Siliguri and Pradhannagar areas, nine in Bhaktinagar and one in New Jalpaiguri areas. All the booths will have separate telephone numbers and guide maps.Dsp of siliguri traffic police Mr Prasanta chanda said that this map will be very useful for people going to see puja. DIG, Jalpaiguri range Zulfiquar Hasan, Sp Darjeeling Rahul Srivastva and Sp Jalpaiguri Manoj Verma were also present on the occasion.

Says, Radio Misty Chief executive officer Nishant Mittal this is our privilege that we are been with traffic police in publishing this guide map. This map is very popular with pandal hoppers. Radio Misty will give live puja updates during this festive season.
source: http://www.radioandmusic.com

Festival honours creative force of women

Durga Puja - a joyous Hindu festival dedicated to the 'mother goddess' - is marked with community events and feasts
NACHAMMAI RAMAN, FreelancePublished: 46 minutes ago
Music blaring from loudspeakers attached to lampposts and trees, sweet shops bustling with shoppers and streets lined with racks of colourful statues are memories Jatindra Kanungo has of Durga Puja in his native India before he came to Montreal 35 years ago.

"In the northeastern part of India, Durga Puja is the biggest Hindu festival," said Kanungo, a member of the Montreal Bengali community. People who come from Bangladesh and the northeastern Indian province of West Bengal are called "Bengali" and share a common language and culture.

Durga Puja, which generally falls in October, is dedicated to the goddess Durga whom the Bengalis also call Devi, mother goddess. The festival, celebrated in the rest of India over a nine-day period known as Navaratri, has its roots in a legend that goddess Durga annihilated a demon that none of the male gods could slay. "Durga is the dynamic power that makes life evolve through birth and death," said Rakhal Battacharya, who comes from a line of Hindu scholars in Bangladesh, where Hinduism is a minority religion.

Durga also symbolizes the creative force of womanhood. "Women represent a life force without which nothing can come into existence or evolve," Battacharya said.

Battacharya explained that Durga Puja prayers are said over a four- or five-day period depending on the Hindu almanac, which follows a lunar calendar. There is a lot of intricate ceremony involved in this, but basically, the idea is that goddess Durga is invoked to lead her followers in the path of righteousness and duty (dharma), shower them with prosperity (artha), bless them with aesthetic and sensual pleasure (kama) and show them salvation (moksha). "When you have these four things, you have everything," Battarcharya said with a chuckle.
He explained that the Bengali tradition of celebrating Durga Puja is rooted in the folklore that a minor king who once lost his kingdom regained everything after praying to the goddess as prescribed by a Hindu saint.

Durga Puja is a community event, but in Montreal, given that the Bengalis don't have a Hindu temple of their own, it's often observed quietly in people's shrines at home. Time is also a factor here. In India and Bangladesh, Durga Puja is an official holiday. School holidays fall around this period. Kanungo recalled that when he was a child in India, he had two weeks off from school coinciding with Durga Puja to enjoy the festivities.

This year, the Montreal Bengali Community has seized on the long weekend for Thanksgiving, Oct. 11 to 13 to roll out its Durga Puja activities at a local Hindu temple that they have rented in Dollard des Ormeaux.

Members of the Bengali community participate in these Durga Puja functions for different reasons, Kanungo said. "For the religious-minded, the rituals and prayers are important. Then, there are also those who come for cultural and social reasons - to meet their friends, eat Bengali food, enjoy music and dance."

The actual Durga Puja, which runs from Monday to Thursday, will be observed by people in their own manner. Most people keep a vegetarian diet during this period, Kanungo said. His wife, Dolly, said she will hold prayers in her shrine at home.

Durga Puja is also a time for sari shopping and sweet-making for Dolly because women wear new clothes and offer such Bengali delicacies as rossogola (curd balls in syrup) and sandesh (flavoured cottage cheese) to their friends. Sari and sweet shops in Côte des Neiges, Park Extension and the West Island do brisk business in the run-up.
"It's a joyous festival," Jatindra Kanungo noted. "Durga means to destroy bad things."
source: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=47a2fb87-afd6-4f94-8d73-dd1038c0ba63&p=2

Durga Puja in Dhaka Bangladesh

Durga Puja to spark off as Eid winds down
Sat, Oct 4th, 2008 2:32 pm BdST
Dhaka, Oct 4 (bdnews24.com)—Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for Hindus in Bangladesh, begins Sunday as Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, the major religious event for Muslims, wind down. The five-day festivities are formally launched with 'Devi Bodhon', when the goddess Durga, wife of Shiva, is invited to visit earth. Durga Puja is officially recognised as a government holiday, with festivals organised in every district centre, as well as in the thanas and villages. In 2007, over 20,000 separate Puja festivals were held in Bangladesh. Puja preparations over the weekend included erecting pavilions or pandals for worship, and artists giving the final decorating touches to idols of the goddess Durga in Old Dhaka among many other places in the capital and countrywide. Spectacular pandals have been erected in a line from Shakaribazar to Tatibazar and Laxmibazar in the old city. Puja preparations were also completed over the weekend in the festival hotspots of Dhakeswari and Ramna Kali temples as well as Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall. The design and decoration of the major pandals and idols in Dhaka is traditionally done by art and architecture students in the city. Durga Puja, one of the most important events in the Bengali Hindu calendar, sees a series of rituals over the five days to mark welcome Durga to earth. The Puja is more than just a religious festival, however, it is a cultural event in Bangladesh and West Bengal. Visiting pandals with friends and family, meeting others and sampling nearby food stalls are a major part of the festivities. Eden College, Banani playground, Sri Sri Ram Sita Temple in the old city, Shiva Temple in Thatari Bazar, Bhagabati Temple, Pranab Moth, Northbruck Hall Jamidar Bari, Banagram Tarun Sangsad, North and South Mesindi, Narendra Basak Lane, Madan Mohon Temple in Hamanto Das Lane, Rupchan Das Lane, Sri Sri Jamuna Mi Ashram and Siddheswari Kali Temple are among the major festival spots of Durga Puja this year. bdnews24.com/pc/qh/jk/fwc/rah/1422hours
source:http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=64181&cid=2

Durga Puja Dhaka Bangladesh Durga Puja

Durga Puja in Calgary Canada

Address:
BENGALI ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY

P.O. Box 121
Midlake Blvd SE
Calgary, AB T2X 2X7
Email Us:
info@bacalgary.org

Bengali Association of Calgary (BAC) is a premier non-profit community organization, founded in 1978 by and for the people with an interest in the language, literature, culture and heritage of Bengal.

Our growing membership of over 330 families from Calgary and other parts of southern Alberta at large represents a well-educated, very established and highly successful cross- section of expatriates from West Bengal and various other parts of India and Bangladesh.

For over 30 years now, we have represented the Bengali community of Calgary. Our mission is to promote a harmonious blend of our diverse culture and rich values with today’s hi-tech, fast-paced, success-driven way of life-with a view to nurturing well-balanced, exemplary new generations who will continue to be role models and enrich the world in greater measure. Our fundamental objectives are:

• To organize cultural events, religious functions and social activities which provide exposure to the culture, heritage and traditions of Bengal.

We are committed to sustaining and promoting our culture and heritage, supporting the society we live in and reinforcing our future generation with meaningful values. We strive to keep our rich culture and heritage alive through various religious events, social and educational activities and cultural programs throughout the year.

• We renew our festive spirits, following true Bengali traditions-our celebrations of Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Saraswati Puja are attended in large numbers.
• We attempt to bring the community together and keep them actively involved in various social events throughout the year-whether it is the Bengali New Year, our summer picnic gala, or the year-end dine-n-dance party.
• We have consistently been among the most culturally active cities in the Alberta, hosting popular artists from India, Bangladesh and North America and presenting high-quality cultural programs by local talents of all ages.

The first and foremost Bengali Association of Calgary (BAC), we have repeatedly strived to overcome divisive forces and keep the Bengali community together as part of our unfailing charter for over two decades. In response to the local Bengali community’s desire for a “home of their own” we have recently stepped up with our “KALI BARI and VEDANTA CENTER” initiative and reached out to all community members to come together and join us in making this dream come true.

for more details visit: http://www.bacalgary.org/index.html

Durga Puja in Washington DC USA

Durga Puja 2008

• Sanskriti Event

Start: 10/03/2008 - 8:00pm

End: 10/05/2008 - 8:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Sanskriti invites you to participate in Durga Puja Oct 3-5, 2008

Venue:Quince Orchard High School, 15800 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Program Highlights
Oct 3, Friday:Pratima decoration 8-11PM
Oct 4, Saturday:Puja and Anjali 10AM-1PM, Lunch 1-30PM, Cultural Program 4-8PM,Arati 8PM, Dinner 8-30PM
Oct 5, Sunday:Puja 11AM Lunch 1-30PM;Cultural Program 4-8PM

Download the attached DurgaPujaRegistrationForm 2008, print it, fill up and give it(with check or cash) to your area representative/Board of Directors or mail as directed in the form.

Sanskriti, Inc.
Rama Saha, 8037 Cobble Creek Circle, Potomac,
MD 20854, 301-983-0142, info@sanskriti-dc.org

2008 Board of Directors
President: Rama Saha
8037 Cobble Creek Circle,Potomac, MD 20854
301-983-0142,ramasaha@verizon.net

Sanskriti Inc. is a non-profit, religious, literary, social, cultural, educational, charitable organization in the Washington Metro area including Virginia and Maryland. It was incorporated in the state of Maryland on May 17, 1976 with the following objectives:

1) Promote Indian culture and organizes Indian cultural, social and religious events
2) Support charitable causes all over the world
3) Support Youth member activities
4) Foster friendship and understanding between and amongst the people of Indian origin and American origin

The membership of the organization is open to all persons 18 years of age or older without regard to nationality, race, religion or place of residence. Members should abide by the Constitution and by-laws of the organization. Members should also pay a non-refundable annual membership or life-membership fee. If you would like to become a member, please download the Membership Form. In order to see a listing of all our life members and / or members, please see the List of Life Members and / or the List of Members. Sanskriti also maintains a Directory which includes names, addresses, Phone Numbers for Bengali and some Indian residents residing in the Washington Metropolitan area. For access to this directory, you will need a password. If you do not know this password, please contact Sansriti Board of Directors.

The business working year is from January 1 to December 31st. Sanskriti organizes Bengali socio-cultural and religious occasions such as:
Saraswati Puja
Baisakhi (Bengali New Year and Rabindra Jayanti)
Picnic
Durga Puja
New Year’s Eve

Sanskriti also organizes and participates in musical and theatrical events and film shows; social gatherings, and sports events.

Formation of Sanskriti:
(We will continuously update this section)

Sanskriti, a large and established organization today, had a humble beginning about thirty-six years ago. Till the end of the 1960’s, the expatriate Bengali community in the greater Washington area was small – a few employees of the Indian embassy, the World Bank, and the Voice of America, and several students and faculty members of local universities. However, every year, they used to organize a Bijoya Sammilani on an ad hoc basis. One evening in the Fall of 1970, there was an informal get together in the Calvert Street N.W. residence of Hrishikesh Bannerjee, an embassy employee whose doors were always open to all Bengalis who appreciated the excellent cooking of Mrs. Bannerjee. In addition to planning for Bijoya, there was also a discussion of the need for a more permanent organization. Early next year, Saraswati Puja was celebrated in the old Union Building (no longer in existence) of Howard University. The free use of the hall arranged by Prof Sachin Pradhan, and Dr Madan Mukhopadhyaya (now in Bakersfield, CA), both of whom were associated with the Medical School. At the end of the celebration, there was a general meeting chaired by Prof Manoj Bannerjee where the proposal to form an organization was passed. An executive committee was formed to start this yet nameless organization with Amal Bose (President), Arun Guha (Secretary), Paritosh Ghosh (Treasurer). Over the next several months, this committee organized a number of public events for the first time including a summer picnic, showing some Bengali films specially imported from England, staging a Bengali drama called “Taito,” and also developed the first set of constitution and byelaws with the help of additional volunteers from the community. The draft constitution and byelaws were mailed out to the community for review. At the next Saraswati Puja in 1972, a general meeting ratified the documents and formalized the new organization with the same executive committee for the next year. Legal incorporation happened at 8:30 AM on May 17, 1976.

Important Milestones of SANSKRITI:
(We will continuously update this – please provide us with information)

1990 – Sanskriti hosted 10th North American Banga Sammelan at University of Maryland Campus, College Park, Maryland

2004 - Sanskriti hosted the best of all Banga Sammelan, 24th North American Banga sammelan at Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland

for further details visit: http://sanskriti-dc.org

Durga Puja in Washington Seattle USA

"Uttoron" consists of General members and Executive Committee members (referred as "Elected members"). Executive Committee members were elected by the process of selection for last few years.

Every year on the day of Saraswati Puja, the earlier committee was dissolved and a new committee was formed. The number of Committee members were not fixed till 2003. After the registration of Uttoron in 2003, Committee members or simply the Organization Committee, consisted of 10 members excluding one web designer.

From the year 2004-05, new committee is being formed on the day of General meeting by the process of selection/election. The 2007 Executive Committee has 12 members including the web designer.

Venue

Ikea Performing arts Center,
400 South 2nd St, Renton, WA 98057
Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 8:30pm

More Information

Web: http://www.uttoron.org/UshaUthup
Email: Usha_Info@Uttoron.org

DURGA PUJA VENUE

Redmond High school
17272 NE 104 th Street
Redmond WA, 98052-2813

DURGA PUJA DATES

Oct 11th and Oct 12th, 2008

DURGA PUJA SCHEDULE

Saturday (Oct 11th)
Puja - 9 am
Pushpanjali - 11:30 am
Lunch - 1 pm
Arati - 5 pm
Bichitranusthan - 5:45 pm
Dinner - 8 pm - 9:30 pm
Drama - 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Wrap up - 10:30 pm - 11 pm

Sunday (Oct 12th)
Puja - 9 am
Pushpanjali - 11:30 am
Lunch - 1 pm
Sindoor Khela - 3 pm
Wrap up 4 pm - 5 pm

for more details visit: http://www.uttoron.org

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

Durga Puja in Virginia Richmond USA

Welcome Address by the President of GRBA

As the President of the Greater Richmond Bengali Association, I want to personally welcome you to our website and to any of our association sponsored events. I hope you find our site to be user-friendly and full of useful information with sights and sounds relating to our community and association.

Greater Richmond Bengali Association is a non profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3), cultural and educational organization, incorporated with the State of Virginia representing the Bengali community in the central Virginia area. Over ninety percent of all Bengalis from India living in and around Richmond are members of the association. It evolved out of the informal group of Richmond area’s Bengali community. Since the early eighties when a handful of Bengali families with young children started settling in the area, they felt the need to continue their religion and show their own culture and heritage, with which they all grew up in India, to their children who were being brought up in a very different culture and society in the United States.

In the early days, those few families would gather and organize one or two cultural and/or religious events in one of their houses. As the community started growing slowly, they would then stage one or two events in a year in rented community halls. By early to mid nineties, the community has grown to over thirty families and they continued to gather regularly organizing events like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja and Paila Baishak in informal settings. However, with the steady growth of their community in recent years, a number of active community leaders felt that formation of a formal organization with structure and Bylaws and incorporating it with the state would not only strengthen their ability to accomplish more but it would also add value and professional image of their community. With those visions and ideas, the organization was formed during May 1997.

The visions of the organizers proved to be true within a very short time. Because of the newly established formal organization, the community was able to host the renowned vocalist Dr. Anup Ghoshal and Mr. Asim Sengupta, a recognized tabla player from Calcutta during the summer of 1997. It was the very first time that the Richmond Bengalis were able to organize such an event. In 2000, the organizers were able to bring another renowned vocalist Dr. (Mrs.) Indrani Sen and the famous tabla player Mr. Biplab Mondal. In 2001, the association for the first time organized its Eighth Annual Durga Puja with a Durga protima created by the Artist Mr. Naba Kumar Mukherjee of Liluah, Howrah, West Bengal. The association continues to grow steadily as more Bengalis move to Richmond area from India and other parts of the United States. By 2002, the association has grown to over 60 members, family and singles.

The association organizes four regular events during each year. Saraswati Puja, Paila Baishak (the Bengali New Year), Member Appreciation Day (Annual Picnic) and Durga Puja. From time to time the Association organizes other special events such as hosting renowned Bengali vocalists from Calcutta or fund raising for a worthwhile cause. A 5 member Board of Directors elected every 2 years by general members and an Executive Committee appointed by the Board of Directors manages the association. All revenues of the association are generated from event fees, donations, sale of promotional items and advertising placed by members and businesses in its Durga Puja brochure and/or other publication. Anyone who is interested in Bengali culture and believes in the goals and objectives of the association is welcomed to join the association by becoming its member.

Greater Richmond Bengali Association
1941 Normandstone Drive
Midlothian, VA 23113
USA

General Enquiry:	grba@grbaonline.org
President:	president@grbaonline.org
Cultural Event:	cultural@grbaonline.org
Advertisement:	grbaAD@grbaonline.org

for further details visit: http://www.grbaonline.org/

Durga Puja in Virginia Fairfax USA

Durga temple was the first temple of Bhagwati Durgaji built in USA. This temple is the place of worship for people of all Hindu faiths. The deities in this temple include Durgaji, Shiv-Parivar, Shri Radha-Krishna, Ram darbar, Hanumanji, Lakshmi-Narayanji, Balaji, Shri Mahavirji, Shri Jhulelalji, Shri Shridi Saibaba and Maa Santoshi. The priests provide religious services at the temple and outside locations. All major Hindu festivals are celebrated. The temple holds a variety of educational cultural activities.

Address:
8400 Durga Place
Fairfax Station
VA 22039
Phone: 703-690-9355

Driving Direction:

From Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia:

• Take the VA-7100 SOUTH/FAIRFAX COUNTY PKWY towards Springfield, VA
• Take Exit for HOOES RD South/SR-636
• After about a mile, turn right onto Copper Leaf Way.
• Temple will be on the left, at the intersection of HOOES RD and SILVERBROOK RD

From I-495/I-395:

• From I-495 (Beltway) or I-395, take I-95 South towards Richmond.
• From I-95, take exit 163 (LORTON exit) and turn right onto Lorton Rd (SR 642).
• Make right turn onto Silverbrook road (SR 600 ).
• Go straight on Silverbrook road and at first traffic light after 2.4 miles, make right on Hooes road (SR 636).
• Take the first left turn onto Copper Leaf Way.
• The temple is on the left at the intersection of Hooes Road and Silverbrook Road.

for more details visit: http://www.durgatemple.org

Durga Puja in Texas Houston USA

Houston Durgabari Society

Houston Durga Bari is the beacon of the Hindu community in Houston. It is a temple dedicated to Maa Durga, the Goddess of Power. It is the only temple in North America devoted to the worship of Goddess Durga and is the product of hours of community effort, led by the Bengali-Hindu community.

Residing deeply in the heart of Texas, Durga Bari presents an ideal environment for the study and practice of Hinduism- holding monthly religious discourses, conducting weekly pujas, and celebrating all Hindu festivals, capitalized by the Durga Puja. Considered the annual rite of autumn, Durga Puja is celebrated with high spirits and grandeur by over 3000 devotees. Regarded as the embodiment of Shakti (power) - Maa Durga signifies the victory of good over evil.

Durga Bari also aims to provide a platform for cultural, educational, sports and youth programs geared towards the Hindu community. From basketball to cricket, Bengali school to Kala Bhavan, professionally-run website to tastefully-published newsletters, Durga Bari has become a community hot spot. It now has Sunday school to imbibe a sense of pride in our beloved Bengali language in the impressionable hearts of the next generation - the potential flag-bearers of the future. Kala Bhavan caters to the artist ensconced in the hearts of the youths - it teaches painting, classical vocals, tabla (an Indian percussion instrument) and, classical dance.

Additionally, Durga Bari's Sur Auditorium has provided a platform for eminent Indian exponents to enthrall the audience with captivating shows. From Mamata Shankar to Bhoomi, from Arndhuti HomChaudhuri to Shibaji Chatterjee, from Anjan Dutta to Rudraprasad Sengupta, luminaries have given life to the stages of Sur Auditorium.

Come, see and experience our beloved Durga Bari. Immerse yourself in quiet meditation in our temple, enlighten yourself in Hindu philosophy expounded by our beloved priest Dr. Bishnupada Goswami, entertain yourself with colorful strains of Indian culture, and, educate yourself in Bengali language and culture.

Be there, involve yourself and see the power of a vibrant, dedicated community; sense the power of Maa Durga!

for more details visit: http://www.houstondurgabari.org/joomla/index.php

Contact us:

HDBS - Durga Puja 2008 Contacts

Chairperson

Pradip Talukdar

puja-chairman@houstondurgabari.org

Durga Puja in Texas Greater Dallas USA

ANTORIK BENGALI ORGANISATION OF GREATER DALLAS General Informati

info@antorik.co

Cultural Activities

Deepa Chakrabarty (Cultural Secretary) Kamal Das (Outside Artist)

Executive Committee 2008-2009

President Amal Mukherjee	Member Biswarup Mukherjee
General Secretary Debdas Bhattacharya	Member Tapas Chakraborty
Treasurer Indranil Bardhan	Member Hemanto Sen
Cultural Secretary Deepa Chakrabarty	Member Aditya Sen
Member Sanjay Mondal	Member Titas Sarkar
Member Debabrata Das	Member Subir Roy

Registered Office:

2200 Yosemite Court

Carrollton, TX 75006

IRS Registration Number (EIN) : 752897867

Durga Puja in Dallas Fort Worth USA

Bengali Association of Dallas Fort Worth

Bengali Association of Dallas Fort Worth (BA-DFW), Texas, USA, is the foremost Bengali Organization of North Texas. Founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization, BA-DFW has been representing the vibrant Bengali community of the Dallas Fort Worth metropolis in North Texas - promoting harmony and integration through cultural and social activities open to all.

We are committed to sustaining and promoting our culture and heritage, supporting the society we live in, and reinforcing our future generation with meaningful values.

We are a registered Texas Non-Profit Organization, IRS Tax ID Number 75-2434783, with our registered office at 1901 N. Central Expressway #230, Richardson, Texas 75080.

The Bengali Association of Dallas Forth Worth cordially invites you and your family to the SILVER JUBILEE celebrations of the DFW Community DURGOTSAV.

Agamoni (Mahalaya) - September 27^th 2008

Durga Puja Celebrations - October 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th 2008

Grand Bijoya Concert - October 11^th 2008

Our postal address is:
Bengali Association of Dallas-Fort Worth
1901 N. Central Expressway #230
Richardson, Texas 75080
USA
If you need information about this association and its activities, email info@badfw.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bengali Association of Dallas/Ft Worth (BA-DFW) is a premier non-profit community organization, founded in 1984 by and for the people with an interest in the language, literature, culture and heritage of Bengal.

Our growing membership of over 400 families from Greater Dallas/ Ft Worth and other parts of North Texas at large represents a well-educated, very established and highly successful cross-section of expatriates from West Bengal and various other parts of India and Bangladesh.

For over 20 years now, we have represented the Bengali community of the Dallas/ Ft Worth metropolis. Our mission is to promote a harmonious blend of our diverse culture and rich values with today's hi-tech, fast-paced, success-driven way of life - with a view to nurturing well-balanced, exemplary new generations who will continue to be role models and enrich the world in greater measure. Our fundamental objectives are:

• To organize cultural events, religious functions and social activities which provide exposure to the culture, heritage and traditions of Bengal
• To promote and sustain religious, charitable, educational and literary activities on behalf of the Bengali community
• To provide a forum for exchanging ideas and views with various national and international organizations of similar interests

We are committed to sustaining and promoting our culture and heritage, supporting the society we live in and reinforcing our future generation with meaningful values. We strive to keep our rich culture and heritage alive through various religious events, social and educational activities and cultural programs throughout the year.

• We run an autonomous Bengali language school, to provide our kids the unique opportunity to learn and maintain proficiency in the language.
• We conduct regular fund raising activities for our community support and social service goals to assist the needy in India, Bangladesh and the United States.
• We renew our festive spirits, following true Bengali traditions - our celebrations of Durga Puja in fall, Saraswati Puja in spring are attended in large numbers
• We attempt to bring the community together and keep them actively involved in various social events throughout the year - whether it is the Bengali New Year, our summer picnic gala, or the year-end dine-n-dance party
• We have consistently been among the most culturally active cities in the United States, regularly hosting popular artists from India, screening popular Bengali movies and presenting high-quality cultural programs by local talents of all ages

The first and foremost Bengali Association of the Dallas-Ft Worth (DFW) metropolis, we have repeatedly strived to overcome divisive forces and keep the Bengali community of the metropolis together as part of our unfailing charter for over two decades. In response to the local Bengali community's desire for a "home"of their own, we have recently stepped up with our MUKTANGAN initiative and reached out to all community members to come together and join us in making this dream come true.

for further details visit: http://www.badfw.org

Durga Puja in Pennsylvania Pittsburg USA

Welcome to the Bengali Association of Pittsburgh web site. Our next event is

Durga Puja at Hindu Jain Temple
Saturday October 4, 10:30am and Sunday October 5, 2:00pm
Donation for ONE day: PrePaid - FREE, Family - $65, Single - $35, Student and Post-Doc - $10
Donation for TWO days: PrePaid - FREE, Family - $85, Single - $45, Student and Post-Doc - $15


Next event:

Utpalendu Chowdhury Concert at University of Pittsburgh's
GSPH Auditorium G23 on Saturday October 18, 2008 at 6:30pm
Donation: Sponsor Family - $50, Family - $25, Adult - $10, Student and Post-Doc - $5


The Bengali Association of Pittsburgh (BAP) is a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. BAP serves the ethnic Bengali population in Pittsburgh and neighboring communities. Since its inception, BAP has been promoting Bengali culture and awareness by hosting social, religious and cultural programs throughout the year

conatct us at : bap@bengali-pitt.org

FOR DETAILS VISIT: http://www.bengali-pitt.org/

Durga Puja in Pennsylvania Philadelphia USA

Welcome to Pragati, the Bengali Association of the greater Philadelphia area!!!

More than thirty five years ago, in 1972, the Bengali Association of the Greater Philadelphia area was formed. It was named Pragati, and became the strand that held the 50 or so Bengalis that lived in this area, close together. It was a place to come together, to share common beliefs, backgrounds, stories, dreams and to forge a bond that would grow stronger with the years. Today their number has swelled to more than 1200 people.

Each year, we, the proud members of Pragati, celebrate Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Lakshmi Puja, and Saraswati Puja. We sponsor numerous Bengali singers, musicians, writers, and politicians as part of our cultural activities. Pragati has been actively helping people in distress through the donation of money, clothes, food, and medicine in USA and India. Through annual food drives we collect canned food from our members to contribute to a local Hospice. Toys are donated to the Children's Hospital and blankets are distributed to the homeless and needy during the Holidays.

We have come a long way to play a pivotal role both in our community and in the life of the city we have adopted, and we are proud of our achievements.

Pragati's Fall Festival program dates have been finalized. Please join us with your friends and family and enjoy these community events.

This time, we are bringing the famous Bangla band "Chandrabindoo"! It will be their first live performance organized by Pragati! Don't miss this opportunity to see how and why the Bangla Band has made such an impression in Bengal, India and abroad!

Program details for Fall Festival

DoshoBhuja (Durga) Festival: October 11 and 12, 2008

Venue: Indian Crest Junior High School 139 Harleysville Pike, Souderton, PA 1896 For any information, communication, or submission, please contact any of our EC members (see Pragati website for contact info) or send email to info@pragati.org Past Events and Activities The Indian American population is estimated to reach 1.36 million at the start of the millennium. Philadelphia metro area's population of Indian Americans is projected to be around 22,000. The Bengali (not to include Bangladeshi) population in Greater Philadelphia area is estimated to be a mere 1200. Thirty years ago, there were hardly 50 Bengalis in this same area, and among friends they used to celebrate New Year, Saraswati Puja, Picnic and Bijoya Dashami. In 1972, Pragati, the Bengali Association of the Greater Philadelphia area was formed by the Bengalis of this area, and it was incorporated as a not-for-profit association in 1977. Currently, Pragati has nearly 80 life members and over 200 regular members and friends. Some of the past events and activities of Pragati are highlighted below: General Body Meeting on Feb 22, 2003, Bangla School. Saraswati Puja on Feb 8th, 2003 in Penndale Middle School, Lansdale for further details visit: http://www.pragati.org

Durga Puja in New Jersey Plainfield USA

Durga Puja
Garden State Cultural Association
invites you, your family and friends to join in their celebration of DURGA PUJA

at
Plainfield High School,
950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
on
Saturday, October 4,
& Sunday, October 5, 2008

For further information, please call:
Kumaresh Sen : (732) 287-3513,
Subal Sarkar : (609) 799-4096 ,
Sadhan Guha : (908) 756-2293,
Tapas Sanyal : (732) 422-1176,
Amitava Banerjea : (732) 635-0338,
Mala Mittra : (609) 897-9221,
Kumud Roy : (732) 662-9707
Email : gsca.nj@gmail.com

DIRECTIONS

Directions to Plainfield High School
950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060

From GS Parkway North: Take Exit 131, turn right on first traffic light (Lincoln Hwy/Rt. 27), turn right on second traffic light (Wood Ave), turn left on next traffic light (Oak Tree Rd). Go 2½ miles, turn right on fifth traffic light (Park Ave). Pass Muhlenberg Hospital on right and then you will find the school on left . Make left on Stelle Ave (or Ninth St. after crossing the School on left) and go to the parking lot behind the School.

PUJA PROGRAM
Saturday, October 4, 2008

Puja & Arati	11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Pushpanjali	2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Prosad	2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Chandipath	3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Dhunuchi Dance	3:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Dinner	4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sandhi Puja	5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Cultural Program*	7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

FOR FURTHER DETAILS VISIT: http://www.gsca.us/index.html

Durga Puja New Jersey Jersey City USA

Garden State Puja Committee was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1980. We are one of the earliest Asian Indian Socio-Cultural Organizations initiated in New Jersey.

The organization was formed by some enthusiastic and energetic Bengalees, then settled in and around Jersey City, New Jersey, to preserve and uphold the heritage of India, especially of Bengal. Some worthy pioneers of this committee are Dr. Suman Dass, Mr. Mono Ranjan Sen, Mr. Kamal Aditya, Mr. Ashok Rakshit and Mr. Pijush Chakraborty.

We earnestly endeavor to keep up the entity of Bengalee culture abroad and at the same time promote friendliness among other cultures. The main activities of GSPC are to celebrate religious, social and cultural events ... the biggest event being the Durga Puja celebrations. As organizers of the 'Jersey City Durga Puja' we foster a ghoroa environment where newcomers as well as old-timers can participate freely in all activities associated with our events.

Durga Puja on 4th and 5th October, 2008

Garden State Puja Committee will be holding the Durga Puja of Jersey City on October 4 (Saturday) and October 5 (Sunday), 2008.

Location:

Address: 40 Sullivan Dr, Jersey City, NJ

Schedule:

Saturday (October 4):
• Puja & Arati: 12pm – 3:30pm
• Prasad Distribution: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
• Cultural Program: 4:30pm - 8:30pm
• Dinner: 8:30-10:00 PM

Sunday (October 5):
• Puja & Arati: 12pm – 3:30pm
• Cultural Program: 4:30-6:15 PM
• Dinner: 6:15-7:30PM

Email Us info@gardenstatepuja.org

Durga Puja 2008 - Saturday, Sunday October 4-5, 2008

Cultural Program

Chandrabindu - the band

Chandrabindu Band from Kolkata will be performing from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Saturday Oct 4. In an era of Bangla bands, Chandrabindu needs no introduction. After being one of the first bands, they rose to immense popularity, and have many hit albums in their repertoire. Their band is known for satirical, colloquial lyrics, full of references to current affairs and cultural phenomena.

for more details visit: http://www.gardenstatepuja.org

Durga Puja in New Jersey USA

Kallol of New Jersey, is a Tax Exempt Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Fostering the Excellence of Indian and Bengali Culture in New Jersey, USA.

Durga Puja 2008

Cordially invites you with your family to participate in our 2008

Durga Puja will be held on October 3, 4 & 5, 2008 At the Ukranian Church and Cultural Center in Somerset, New Jersey

Kallol invites you to also participate in our

To be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008 At the Kiddie Keep Well Camp 85 Roosevelt Drive, Edison NJ 08837

With Regards

Soumen Roy
President, Kallol of NJ and,
Chairman, NJDP of Kallol, 2008

Over the last several years we have had a large increase in the number of people attending Kallol´s Durga Puja which we are very happy about. Unfortunately, as you know, the Ukranian Center Hall has limited accommodation in the main hall. We have had to restrict entry in the main hall in the previous years in compliance with township rules and fire codes. This year we are introducing an online registration system to provide you with an opportunity for pre-registration which will guarantee entry. We may not be able to admit you without pre-registration if we reach capacity.

Kallol Member´s	:	$60.00
Non- Member’s	:	$65.00 [Online Pre Registration Special]
Student with ID	:	$40.00
Children [12-18 YRS]	:	$30.00
Children [Below 12 YRS]	:	Free

Registration information for Lakshmi Puja will be provided soon.

Venue

Ukranian Cultural Center, 135, Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873

Directions

From Interstate 287 North
Take exit 10 (Rt. 527 / Easton Avenue
Go right towards Bound Brook and turn left at the first traffic light onto Davidson Avenue
The Ukranian Cultural Center and parking will be to your right

From Interstate 287 South
Take exit 10 for New Brunswick / Easton Avenue
Turn left onto Easton Avenue and go underneath the highway I-287
Turn left at the first light onto Davidson Avenue
The Ukranian Cultural Center and parking will be to your right

From Route 18
Take Route 18 from Rt 1 towards New Brunswick past the Raritan River and after the bridge, make a left at the first traffic road onto River Road
Go to the junction of I-287 and enter onto I-287 North
Then follow directions from above

History of Kallol

In 1975 a group of imaginative Bengalis from Kolkata-India instituted ‘Kallol of NJ´ to establish a cultural and social base here in the United States. Thriving ever since, ‘Kallol´ today now stands alone as the undisputed foremost organization of all the Bengali communities in this nation.

With a mission to bridge the societal gap between the Indian sub-continent and the United States, our involvements are geared to promote exchange of multicultural programs, to enhance literary endeavors, to encourage athletic activities, and to serve as a platform extending assistance to needy people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Mission and Vision

To uphold our goals and objectives as an association serving the community, we habitually organize events addressing:

- Cultural programs and dramas

- Programs for the children

- Promotion of Bengali language for the children

- Distribution of books and magazines from India

- Publication of literary magazine and news bulletin

- Picnics and outings

- Athletic activities

- Celebration of ethnically oriented Pujas

- Interaction initiatives with similar other cultural groups

for more details visit: http://www.kallol.com

Durga Puja in Nebraska USA

Bengali Association of Nebraska (BANE) is a US non-profit organization which serves the ethnic Bengali population in Omaha, Lincoln and neighboring communities. Since its inception, association has been promoting Bengali culture and awareness by hosting cultural programs through out the year and celabrating prominent Bengali events such as - Saraswati Puja, Paila Baishak , Rabindra Jayanti and Durga Puja.

BENGALI ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA
BYLAWS
ORGANIZATION NAME

Name of the Organization – Name of the organization will be “The Bengali Association of Nebraska”.


PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Physical Address: Mr. Samir Mukherjee’s house address (14629 Patrick Circle, Omaha, NE 68116 Tel: 402-964-9097) will be used as the
mailing address for the first year.

MISSION STATEMENT

· PROMOTE awareness of Bengali identity, its cultural and spiritual heritage.
· ORGANIZE cultural programs and events involving Bengali and other Indian traditional and
contemporary cultural activities.
· ORGANIZE efforts to maintain and perpetuate Bengali and Indian culture among the youth of Indian
origin during the process of their assimilation into the American mainstream.
· PARTICIPATE in charitable causes through voluntary work and fund raising.
· FOSTER a spirit of friendship and cooperation between its members through social activities, sports
events, musical gatherings, and religious festivals

MEMBERSHIP

Any person subscribing to the mission of the Association shall have the right to membership in the Association. The Association shall be
non-discriminatory as to member's race, religion, sex, or national origin. Members shall be 19 years or older to have the right to vote
regarding matters related to the activities of the Association.

All members desiring to join the Association shall be required to pay the following annual membership fees:
$10 for individual, and $5 for students.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

The Association will be managed by 9 (nine) elected office bearers (called “Executive Committee”). The executive officers of this Association
shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer, and four other members as Chairpersons of the committees’ (Puja,
Cultural, Food, and Fund Raising Committee) with equal voting privileges and assigned duties. The immediate Past-President shall be an
ex-officio member of the Executive Committee without voting privileges. The term of the Executive Committee shall be for a maximum of 1
year term. Elections will be followed to elect another set of Committee members.

for more details visit: http://www.bengali-association-nebraska.com/