Thousands of kilometres from Bengal, a group of Bengali families in the Netherlands have recreated the sights, rituals and shared warmth of Durga Puja, turning a community celebration into a reminder of home.
Aalap, a Bengali cultural outfit in the Utrecht–Nieuwegein area, is organising its fourth Durga Puja from October 17 to 20.
This year’s theme, 'Bonedi Barir Pujo', draws on the grandeur and traditions of aristocratic Bengali households, bringing a slice of Bengal’s cultural heritage to Europe.
For the families involved, the celebrations extend well beyond the four days of festivities.
Preparations begin months in advance, with members coordinating arrangements, gathering ritual essentials and working around the practical difficulties of organising a traditional puja far from home.
“Things readily available in Calcutta often require weeks of planning here,” said Ayana Chatterjee, a member of Aalap’s puja arrangements team.
The team begins preparations before the summer holidays, checking its inventory, preparing lists and deciding which items members should bring from India, what can be sourced locally and what needs to be ordered beforehand.
The arrangements team comprises of women, supported by two priests who balance their religious responsibilities with their IT workplaces.
Their voluntary involvement is important to sustain elaborate rituals in a country where organising a traditional Bengali puja requires considerable planning and collective effort.
For many families, Durga Puja offers an opportunity to come together, share familiar traditions and pass them on to younger generations.
Sourav Dey, the co-founder of Aalap, said that the initiative began with just 10 supporters and has since grown into a community of more than 1,000 people.
“The whole idea of starting a community, especially after the Covid pandemic, was to bring people together, stay connected and create opportunities to do things together,” Dey said.
“The participation and support of members encouraged the committee to devote its time and effort to organising community activities,” he added.
Parichay Bose, the coordinator of the Puja, said the event brings together several teams working towards a common celebration.
As members take responsibility for different areas, preparations become an exercise in collective participation.
“The ‘Bonedi Barir Pujo’ theme is expected to lend this year’s celebrations a distinctive Bengali character, evoking the old household traditions associated with Durga Puja in Bengal,” he said.
“In the Netherlands, where everyday life unfolds far from the streets and neighbourhoods of Calcutta and other Bengali towns, Aalap’s celebration will offer a familiar cultural gathering. It is built on shared memories, voluntary work and the desire to keep a cherished tradition alive across borders,” he added.