Luton Durga Puja to mark 10th anniversary with five-day celebration
Luton’s Bengali Hindu community will come together for a five-day celebration of Durga Puja as the festival marks its 10th year in the town.
The Bengali Hindu Cultural Association will host the celebration from October 17 to October 21, at Dallow Learning Community Centre on Dallow Road.
The annual event has been held in Luton since 2017 and brings together Bengali Hindu families from across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Gitasish Deb, an organiser for the event, said: “Our elders established the Bengali Hindu Cultural Association in 1996. They always dreamed of organising our very own local Durga Puja, so we, the second generation, did exactly that.”
Although based in Luton, the organisers said the community extends across Beds and Herts, with people coming together each year to help organise the festival.
Gitasish said putting on the event requires “a lot of planning, volunteers and indeed cash donations”.
More than 2,000 meals are prepared from scratch during the festival, with the event open to the wider community.
Gitash said: “Our doors are open to the whole community of all denominations.”
Alongside religious worship, the five-day celebration will feature traditional Bengali dance, music and food, with a dedicated priest leading the Durga Puja ceremonies.
But Gitasish said the festival was about more than religious worship, describing it as “a vibrant community event celebrating Hindu Bengal culture through traditional dance, music and cuisine.”
He added: “The festival honours Goddess Durga, a symbol of strength, righteousness, and the triumph of good over evil, bringing people together to experience the rich heritage and spirit of community.”
Organisers say the event provides an opportunity for people to experience Bengali culture while bringing families and different generations together.
This year’s celebration will mark the association’s 10th Puja in Luton, with organisers describing it as a Sarbojanin Puja, a celebration for everyone.
The event is increasingly being supported by younger members of the community, who are helping with its organisation and ensuring Bengali traditions continue to future generations.
The five-day programme begins on Saturday, October 17, with Maha Shashti, Adhibas and Puja from 6pm to 8pm.
On Sunday, October 18, Maha Saptami will include Puja, Anjali and Aarti, followed by a function.
Monday, October 19, will mark Maha Ashtami with Puja, Anjali and Aarti, while Maha Navami take place will take place on Tuesday, October 20, alongside the same schedule and a function.
The final day, Wednesday, October 21, will be Bijoya Dashami, with Puja followed by Sindoor Pradan and Bijoya Sammilani. There will be no public events after 4pm that day.
Organisers Gitasish Deb, Shree Deb, Amit Dam and Sid Chakrabarty are inviting businesses, community leaders, elected representatives and residents to attend and learn more about the festival and Bengali Hindu traditions.
For more information, people can contact the Bengali Hindu Cultural Association at [email protected].