Dhunuchi, dhaak and the shankho

Durga Puja celebrates the triumph of the ten-armed Goddess Durga over the shape-shifting demon, Mahishasura – it’s a reiteration of the universal theme of righteousness vanquishing evil and the exaltation of feminine power. The ten-day extravaganza commences with Mahalaya, a day dedicated to honouring ancestors through the ritual of tarpana.

The resonant dhaak (drum) awakens the vivid presence of Goddess Durga, and heralds the grand celebration of Durga Puja in Bengal. This iconic instrument orchestrates the entire festival, its rhythmic cadence weaving through dhunuchi naach (a part of the Bengali pujo tradition), aarti, shonko (conch shell) and worship.

In Bengal, Durga Maa becomes a beloved household presence during this time. It is believed that every year she leaves her celestial abode to return to her earthly parental home with her four children — Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Kartik — and assumes the roles of a cherished daughter and a nurturing mother. From Sasthi to Dashami, Bengalis venerate her in a more human than divine form, as the theme of a married daughter paying an annual visit to her birth family is an indelible aspect of Bengali culture.

For Bengalis, this is a time of unabashed leisure, a time to indulge in hearty meals, hop between puja pandals with friends and family, revel in the age-old traditions of adda, and soak themselves in nostalgia, and melodious music. From Keyes High School to Ramakrishna Math, Durga Puja fervour engulfs the city. In our conversation with a few Bengalis we’ve discovered the emotional essence of Durga Puja as more than just a festival.

The heart of the matter

Hyderabad’s Bengali community, once nurtured by the Army and Railways, now thrives in the fields of medicine and IT. Over the years, Hyderabad’s Durga Puja festivities have burgeoned significantly. The vibrant celebrations are marked by conviviality, stalls of delectable food, impromptu fashion shows, and elegantly attired Durga protimas.

Evenings commence with aaroti and dhunuchi nach, to the beat of the dhaak. Local theatre clubs and renowned artistes from Mumbai and Kolkata offer diverse entertainment. But the most cherished activity is savouring Kolkata’s street food at the pandal stalls. It’s also a prime season for matchmaking and dating. Little wonder that the festival marks the pinnacle of every Bengali’s calendar. — Chandana Chakrabarti, writer and social activist

Cultural extravaganza

Durga Puja, spanning a fortnight, starts with Mahalaya and culminates with Kojagori Lakshmi Puja. Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami are celebrated with zeal. For Bengalis in Hyderabad, this time fosters familial bonds and rekindles the child within. Adorned in vibrant traditional attire, they hop from one food stall to another, savouring diverse cuisines and engaging in lively addas with friends and strangers. On Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, pushpanjali offerings and cultural performances entertain. Mahashtami’s shandi puja and Vijaya Dashami’s shindur khela, followed by a procession, mark the culmination of Durga Puja festivities. Hyderabad hosts over 100 community Durga Pujas. The essence of Durga Puja is best encapsulated in the acronym PUJA: Peace, Unity, Joy, and Adda (sweet, simple conversations). — Dr. Chaitanyamoy Ganguly, nuclear scientist

Nostalgia revived

Durga Puja, transcends borders, uniting Bengalis across cities for a festival that evokes nostalgia and pride. In Hyderabad, the Ramakrishna Math’s Malgara’s Puja stands out for its authenticity and rituals, creating a sacred and intimate experience. I’m drawn to Durga Puja for its aesthetics and rituals, the traditional attires, and mouthwatering cuisine. It’s a time for family reunions. Even though my extended family is in Delhi, celebrating Durga Puja in Hyderabad holds cherished memories of participating in various rituals, from Kalashisthapana to Sandhi Puja, emphasize inclusivity, social bonding, and positivity. The service of bhog, participation in dhunuchi naach, and symbolic rituals like Bali underscore unity and humility. The final day, Vijaya Dashmi, involves bidding farewell to the Goddess with symbolic rituals, water immersion, and mutual greetings for a prosperous year ahead. — Sourav Das, textile designer

Community collaborations

The Bengali community in Hyderabad has surged due to the IT industry’s growth, with around 4,00,000 Bengalis in and around Hitec City. There’s also a significant population of Bengali karigars in the old city, primarily in the jewellery industry, and this area hosts 10-12 Durga Pujas.

Just a few years ago, there were only about 12-13,00,000 Bengalis here. The numbers grew due to new initiatives and newcomers post-pandemic. Over 50 puja pandals are set up during this time.

To promote cultural connections, initiatives like Pooja Parikrama and Saroj Samman are organized. Pooja Parikrama is akin to pandal hopping in Bengal, where buses transport members to different Pujas, fostering connections and camaraderie. It’s not a competition but a collaborative celebration.

The community aims to create an inclusive society where people can exchange views and opinions, and help one another. Upcoming events include Puja Parikrama and Vijay Samman on Saptami, followed by cultural programmes and dinner. The goal is to uphold the spirit of Durga Puja and build connections within the community. — Partha Pratim Mallik, actor, Technology evangelist, president of Bengalis in Hyderabad

Festive delights

Durga Puja, a Bengali celebration of immense joy, art, music, and delicious food, evokes cherished memories of my family here in Hyderabad. As a Probashi Bengali living away from Bengal, this festival holds a unique place in our hearts. Although we can’t enjoy the vast fields of kash phool, Hyderabad provides a sense of belonging, with countless well-organized pujos. Our IT-centric lives take a creative turn. I’m part of a band and drama group, my wife engages in dance performance, and our daughters participate in recitation, painting, quizzes, and bhog offerings. Vijaya Dasami signifies the bittersweet end, but the Bengali spirit eagerly anticipates aschhe bochhor abaar hobe... (next year, we’ll do it again). — Swagat Sengupta, director-Technical Support, Kore.ai