-���� ��� ���� � ���!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Durga Puja in Melbourne
Praphulla Ray Melbourne, Australia
Bengali Association of Victoria started Durga Puja in 1989. We brought the Idol from Kumortuli in the same year. We were all excited. Ananda Bazar Patrika wrote Ma Durga is going to Melbourne by Plane. 26 years have passed. In the beginning we used to have gathering of about 300 to 400 devotees. To day about 1200 / 1300 people from all around victoria attend attend the cerimony. This includes our Australian friends. Pujo is normaly performed on the nearest Friday, Saturday and Sunday of actual Puja day. Few years back I wrote this to Bengali News paper that as we do not have holidays during this time and we do not have any permanent place for Puja we do puja on those days at a hired venue. Victoria Government supports our activities an we receive grants for this function and others. Every 3 to 4 yrs we bring new Pratima from Kumortuli. We have our own Bengali priests. They are scientist and engineers and fully trained prists. Some of them are Australian Gov certified marriage celebrant and have full power to solemnise marriage and give marriage certificate. Our 3 puja days are full of fun. Many social activities, like dance drama, children program are performed on these days. Foods are completely free for three days. Our members contributions and donations from business communities are enough to support our activities. In early days we used to cook food in the hall for all the people. But as no increased to thousands we have gone to Indian caterers.
Special Volume 1, October 2015 26