Beijing To Have Second Durga Puja Celebrations This Month End!

Yes, you read that right! Beijing is going to have a second Durgotsav this month-end thanks to an informal association of likeminded individuals and families calledBeijing Bongs in the capital of China. The dates selected are October 19 & 20.

The reason why it is being celebrated on the particular dates is that it was clashing with week-long Chinese national holidays and working weekends. We all know that Durga Pujo celebrations are a massive affair and it is not easy at all. To put together the massive stages and stalls, the biggest challenge for the group was the lack of expertise, experience, manpower, logistics and the availability of Bengali items in markets.

Image courtesy: Beijing Bongs

Beijing Bongs was started by two families in 2016 which now has more than 100 members. A member of the group, Argheyaa B. Mitra, started the first-ever Durga Puja in China in Shanghai more than a decade ago. The 5ft ekchala (which is the single-framed structure) idol of Goddess Durga and her family, has been provided by Mitra. It was created by an eminent sculptor from Kumartuli, Mintu Paul, who is also the person behind the tallest Durga idol in Deshapriya Park and this year's golden Durga at Santosh Mitra Square.

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Speaking of the food, the authentic delicacies will be there from Kolkata's renowned Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick. The other food ingredients and essential items for the Puja will come in when some of the members will return to Beijing after the Chinese national holidays.

As for the priest, the last time they had a PhD priest from Kolkata. This time, because of his unavailability, we have chosen the priest will be a former journalist-turned-entrepreneur and educationist from north Bengal.

Interesting right? It is not about the dates of the festival but the celebrations and the good spirits in the end.