All images sourced by the correspondent
Every year, when the dhaak falls silent, and sindoor has coloured devotees’ faces, Goddess Durga, in Chelmsford, Essex, does not make the customary journey to the river. Instead, the fibreglass idol is carefully wrapped, placed in a wooden box, and stored for the following year.
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This is how Sankalpo Chelmsford celebrates Durga Puja, combining Bengali traditions with a commitment to sustainability and community welfare.
Held on October 17 and 18 at Writtle Christian Centre, the sixth edition of the puja brought together Bengali families and visitors from across Chelmsford and beyond.
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Founded in 2020, Sankalpo has grown from a modest gathering into a festival attracting between 1,000 and 1,200 people, including those experiencing Bengal’s biggest festival for the first time abroad.
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The celebrations are organised entirely by volunteers, who manage everything from decorations and rituals to cooking and serving bhog. While the fibreglass idol is reused, the decorations and puja materials are stored for future editions.
Sankalpo has also adapted the visarjan to reduce waste.
The Kalash and some flowers are immersed in the local river, while other flowers and fruit peels are composted in volunteers’ gardens. Bamboo-based biodegradable plates have replaced plastic, and surplus food is collected by Chelmsford homelessness charity Sanctus for distribution to people in need.
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Debalina Gupta, senior NHS programme lead and a founding member of Sankalpo Chelmsford, said, “Durga Puja is so much more than a religious festival for us. As someone who works in the NHS, I see first-hand the importance of connection, inclusion and community.”
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The festival also brings health services to the community. In partnership with the NHS, Essex Wellbeing Service and Reliance Pharmacy, the organisers arranged wellbeing advice, diabetes awareness, a children's mental health talk and vaccinations.
A member of the committee, Bobby (Meghdut) Biswas, said, “Looking ahead, Sankalpo plans to expand its green initiative, examining everything from food and flowers to packaging and waste, while involving younger generations.”