Kolkata, Oct. 15 -- For many Bengalis, Durga Puja is synonymous with homecoming. For those unable to make the journey, however, the festivities continue overseas. From Germany and Canada to the US and London, the Bengali diaspora keeps the tradition alive.
This year, New York's iconic Times Square hosted vibrant Durga Puja and Navaratri celebrations, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani also posting about the festival on social media. In Germany, Cologne's Bengali community is celebrating at its regular venue, the Bezirksrathaus in Chorweiler, while Bengalis in the historic city of Ingolstadt observe the five-day festival with rituals and evening musical programmes. In Canada, Montreal's Bengali community continues its long-running tradition through the Indian Bengali Association of Montreal, established in 1975. Calgary, too, celebrates the festival through several Bengali cultural organisations.
In North Texas, the Rhythm Cultural Association has been organising Durga Puja since 2014, bringing together more than 700 community members annually. Alongside rituals, cultural programmes help preserve Bengali traditions far from home. Theatre is another highlight. "Our annual drama has always been about more than just entertainment-it's a mirror to our values and a space where our community connects," said Saibal Guha and Shimul Saha, founders of Sonar Tori. This year, under director Salmoli Guha, the group presents Uttoron: The Ascension, a story of rising that honours a masterpiece of Bengali literature while celebrating human strength and moral courage.
Meanwhile, the Bengal Heritage Foundation's London Sharad Utsav returns to Ealing with a tribute to Akashvani Kolkata's 100th broadcasting year. Its cultural stage, Rongo Moncho, will feature radio-inspired performances and audience participation, while children will take part in programmes under the Thakumar Jhuli banner.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.