Pune: Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad Reveals “Illumination” Theme For Durga Puja 2023
Pimple Saudagar, 16th October 2023: Since its founding in 2011, Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad has been celebrating Durga Puja, an autumn festival, with enthusiasm and a festive atmosphere. The group operates under the motto “Together we stand, together we celebrate.”
Durga Puja, known for being one of the largest human gatherings, attracts a crowd of over 25,000 and serves as a melting pot of diverse rituals, traditions, food, and culture from across Bengal.
This year marks the 12th Durga Puja celebration for Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad, with the theme focused on “illumination.” Decorations are planned to be subtle, using light as the guiding element. As always, the ambiance will have a familial feel, known as “Barir Pujo,” and members will showcase their talents through various cultural programs spanning the five days of Puja, from Panchami to Navami.
The celebration will feature performances by two renowned guest artists, Poushali and Kaushik, who are popular in Bengal and beyond. Food, an essential part of Durga Puja, will be available from 10 stalls operated by top Bengali restaurants, offering delicacies ranging from traditional platters to classic Bengali sweets.
Daily “Bhog prasad” will be prepared by a team of cooks and artisans arriving from Kolkata, aiming to provide more than 7,500 devotees with an authentic taste of traditional Bengali cuisine.
A team of eight drummers, known as dhakis, will be coming from underprivileged areas of West Bengal. They will showcase centuries-old traditions of “dhak” performances and engage in jamming sessions with local drumming groups.
On the day of Dashami (Dussehra), the event will include the quintessential “Sindoor Khela,” a unique and traditional ritual for married Bengali women that connects with “Devi Boron” and “Bisharjan” of Maa Durga, marking the end of the festivities.
The event, open to all, encourages Punekars to visit the pandal at Kapse Lawns and partake in the celebrations, scheduled from October 20 to October 24, 2023.
