Pune’s Congress Bhavan Durga Puja sustains Bengali traditions
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In Pune, India, the Sarvajanik Durgapuja at Congress Bhavan is celebrating its 87th year, maintaining Bengali rituals and attracting crowds.
The annual festival, which includes worship over five days and cultural events, strives to preserve traditional practices while adapting to modern times. Organizers have ensured continuity in the worship sequence for decades, and nearly 90 percent of the market stall vendors return each year, many traveling from Kolkata.
The celebration features authentic Bengali cuisine prepared by cooks from Kolkata, alongside religious stalls and a recent initiative to include a stall run by members of the transgender community. Daily offerings of food are open to everyone, with a traditional menu of khichuri and other Bengali dishes. This year, the Durga idol’s design departed from the usual style, taking inspiration from the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, a coastal Indian state.
Behind the scenes, organizers prioritized food safety by working with the Food and Drug Administration, conducting water tests, and ensuring staff wore protective gear and underwent medical checks. The festival will conclude with Vijayadashami and the immersion of the idol following guidelines from the Pune Municipal Corporation, with organizers hoping the event will one day earn a Geographical Indication tag like the Durga Puja in Kolkata.
