Pune: Oitijhyo Sarbojonin Brings Durga Puja to Hinjawadi, Celebrating Heritage and Naari Shakti

Hinjawadi, 13th August 2026: A new chapter in the celebration of Bengali culture is set to begin in Hinjawadi this year, with the Oitijhyo Sarbojonin Cultural Association organising its inaugural Durga Puja.

Antara Das, President of the Oitijhyo Sarbojonin Cultural Association, said the first Puja is being envisioned not merely as the launch of a Puja committee but as the beginning of a community built around culture, tradition and togetherness.

“Some journeys begin with a dream, and some dreams become a journey for an entire community. Our inaugural Durga Puja is the first step towards building a family and a community while preserving the traditions, values and cultural heritage that connect us to our roots,” Das said.

‘Heritage Is Something We Must Pass On’
Explaining the significance of the association’s name, Das said Oitijhyo means heritage, but heritage should not be viewed merely as something inherited from the past.

“Heritage is not simply something we inherit. It is something we protect, celebrate and pass on to the next generation,” she said.

According to Das, the association aims to create a platform where children can experience Bengali traditions, young people can showcase their talents, elders can share their memories and knowledge, and members of the wider community can come together.

“Our Durga Puja is an invitation to everyone to participate, contribute, celebrate and create memories together,” she said.

‘Pujo Brings a Piece of Bengal Closer to Home’
Das said Durga Puja has traditionally been much more than a religious celebration, bringing together devotion, art, music, food, creativity and community participation.

“For many of us living away from our hometowns, Pujo is a way of bringing a little piece of Banglar mati, gondho, gaan and parampara into our present lives,” she said.

She added that the festival creates opportunities for old friendships to be renewed, new relationships to be formed and different generations to come together.

Inaugural Theme: Naari Shakti
The first edition of Oitijhyo Sarbojonin’s Durga Puja will have Naari Shakti – The Power of Womanhood as its central theme.

Das said the theme reflects the qualities associated with Maa Durga, including strength, courage, compassion and resilience.

“Through Naari Shakti, we want to celebrate not only the divine feminine but also the countless women around us—mothers, daughters, sisters, professionals, homemakers, teachers, artists, caregivers and leaders—whose strength shapes families and communities every day,” she said.

“For us, Naari Shakti is not just a theme for the Puja. It is a celebration of every woman who inspires us,” Das added.
Bringing Bengali Culture to Every Generation
The inaugural celebration is expected to bring together different aspects of Bengali culture, including traditional rituals, devotional practices, music, dance, drama, art, food and community activities.

Das said the atmosphere of Pujo is created through many familiar elements—from the beats of the dhak and the fragrance of bhog to conch shells, cultural performances and the participation of children.
“We especially want our children to experience these traditions, understand them and carry them forward,” she said.

According to Das, preserving traditions for future generations is one of the key objectives of the association.

“The success of a cultural association cannot be measured by one year’s celebration alone. It is measured by what we are able to pass on to the next generation,” she said.
‘Every Helping Hand Becomes Part of Oitijhyo’
Das said the inaugural year will also be about the collective effort that goes into organising a community celebration.

“There will be excitement, challenges, learning and countless moments behind the scenes. Every contribution, big or small, will become part of the story of our first Puja,” she said.

She highlighted the role of volunteers, participating families, artists, children, organisers, sponsors and elders who contribute their time, talent or knowledge.

“Every helping hand becomes a part of Oitijhyo,” Das said.
Looking Beyond the First Puja
For Das, the inaugural celebration is intended to be the foundation of a longer cultural journey rather than a one-time event.

“Years from now, when we look back at our inaugural Puja, we hope to remember not only the decorations and programmes but also the people who came together to make it possible,” she said.

She hopes Oitijhyo will grow stronger with each passing year while remaining rooted in Bengali traditions.

“Our dream is for Oitijhyo to become a place where tradition meets togetherness, culture meets creativity, and generations meet each other,” Das said.

As the association prepares for its first Durga Puja in Hinjawadi, Das said the celebration represents both a new beginning and an effort to keep cultural heritage alive for future generations.

“Our first Puja is our shared heritage and our collective dream,” she said.
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