– Joziah Ryan K Lyngdoh
As Rilbong’s Durga Puja marks a century, the milestone celebrates more than a religious tradition; it reflects the neighbourhood’s rich history, cultural heritage and enduring sense of community. Over the past 100 years, the festival has brought generations together, preserving cherished traditions while adapting to changing times. As we look back on a century of celebrations, this week’s Sunday Shillong delves into the history of Rilbong’s Durga Puja and explores what the milestone means to its people, as well as their hopes and aspirations for the future.
From government land to the Rilbong settlement
Shillong became the capital of the then Assam in 1874, bringing with it the need for an administrative workforce. The British brought educated Bengalis from Sylhet to assist in running the administration, as Sylhet was considered one of the region’s leading centres of education at the time. Bengalis also served as interpreters because many were familiar with the Khasi language. The British had entered the Khasi Hills through the Sylhet side and established trade links in the border areas, where coal and limestone were extracted.
As the number of government employees in Shillong grew, the British acquired land from the local Syiem to provide accommodation for their staff. The land became government property, and 37 employees were given settlements in the area that later became known as Rilbong.
They received land pattas in 1925, and it took another two years for them to build their houses and move in with their families. By 1927, the settlement had taken shape.
Rilbong was initially known as European Ward B, and access to land was restricted in its early years. The area was largely undeveloped, with residents having to cut into the hillside and construct roads to make it habitable, with assistance from the British administration and the municipality. Several large bungalows came up in the locality, including properties such as 
Burnside, Brookside, Maxwellton and Greenview Cottage.
The first Durga Puja & development of the locality
The first Durga Puja in Rilbong was held in 1927. As the community grew, residents established institutions to meet their educational, commercial and religious needs. A primary school and a cooperative store were set up in 1928 to provide education and essential commodities, while the Hindu Dharma Sabha was established as a place of worship.
Basic infrastructure, including drainage, footpaths and electricity, developed gradually. Rilbong also had four ward commissioners who worked to improve local facilities. Their contributions included drainage, steps, footpaths and support for the school, including the construction of a teachers’ quarter and a playground.
Centenary marks Rilbong’s history & contributions to Shillong
Ribong Durga Puja Committee President, Manas Chaudhuri said the centenary celebration brings together three milestones: the creation of Rilbong, the establishment of the Hindu Dharma Sabha and the 100th year of Durga Puja in the locality. He described the occasion as an opportunity to look beyond the locality and recognise the people who have contributed to Shillong’s development over the past century.
Chaudhuri said the organisers wanted the celebration to be inclusive, reflecting Shillong’s history as a town shaped by people from different communities. An advisory committee comprising members from different backgrounds was formed to identify individuals who had contributed to the city in various fields. The 
committee was chaired by former chief secretary D.P. Wahlang and included other members, among them editor Patricia Mukhim.
The organisers decided not to restrict the recognition to people associated with Rilbong or to the period when the locality was established. Instead, they looked further back into Shillong’s history to identify people who had brought changes to the city, earned recognition for the state and made a difference to society. Chaudhuri said the exercise was intended to remember people whose contributions might otherwise be overlooked.
25 known figures given recognition
A search committee identified 25 people from different communities and fields for recognition. Among the historical figures mentioned by Chaudhuri were Amjad Ali Rai Sahib, whom he described as an early Khasi poet who learned the language while working in Shillong; Mavis Dunn Lyngdoh, whom he identified as India’s first woman Cabinet minister; Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, whom he credited with bringing electricity to Shillong through the use of water power at Sonapani; and footballer Colonel Puran Bahadur, who represented India and was associated with local football teams.
The award ceremony that took place on October 15 was graced by Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, Minister of Arts & Culture, Sanbor Shullai, Retd. Chief Secretary Govt. Of Meghalaya, D.P. Wahlang, and Padmashri Manas Chaudhuri.
The celebrations also honoured around 40 to 50 people who made significant contributions to Rilbong during their lifetimes, including teachers and sportspersons on October 16.
Public events & cultural tableau to showcase Shillong’s diversity
Two public events had also took place ahead of the Puja celebrations. A 9-km run was held on October 2. The following day, October 3, a food festival will offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, sweets and other items, accompanied by live music. Chaudhuri said both events were intended for the wider public, not just residents of Rilbong, and would encourage community participation.
Another major feature was a cultural tableau on October 15, involving varied communities living in Shillong, including smaller communities such as Chinese and Tibetan groups. Each community presented aspects of its culture through music, dance and other performances on vehicles travelling through different parts of the city before returning to Rilbong.
Chaudhuri said the tableau was intended to reflect Shillong’s cosmopolitan character and acknowledge the communities that have lived in the city over the past century. He said involving these communities was an important part of the celebration, as the city’s history and identity have been shaped by people from diverse backgrounds.
Celebrating a century of unity & social harmony
The centenary programme, Chaudhuri said, is intended not only to celebrate the longevity of the Durga Puja but also to remember the people who contributed to Shillong’s growth and to highlight the values of diversity, unity, social harmony and brotherhood.
A celebration that brings people together
For Annky Nandy, who was born and brought up in Shillong, the association with Durga Puja began in childhood. Starting as a volunteer before becoming more actively involved in the celebrations, Nandy is now part of the Central Puja Committee. The festival also holds personal memories, particularly of participating in Rilbong’s long-running art competition as a young contestant. Although Nandy never won an award, those experiences remain special, making the opportunity to speak about the centenary celebration all the more meaningful.
Nandy said completing 100 years required sustained effort, patience, leadership and collective collaboration. While a centenary is a significant milestone, Nandy stressed that the contributions of every Puja committee matter, whether it is celebrating its first year or marking 50, 75 or 100 years. The achievement, however, offers a valuable example to newer committees of how traditions can be preserved and carried forward across generations.
Describing Rilbong Durga Puja as the “tomorrow’s island of Shillong”, Nandy said the festival transforms 
the locality into a gathering place where people, including those who may not know one another, come together like one family. Music, laughter, shared experiences and the festive atmosphere create a sense of belonging that extends beyond religious and community identities.
This spirit of togetherness was echoed by Bhibhuti Chakraborty and Shusanta Das, who stressed that festivals should bring people closer rather than allow differences of religion, caste, creed or community to divide them. Chakraborty pointed to the participation of people from different communities in the food festival as an example of how shared celebrations foster unity. Das, meanwhile, urged people to move beyond labels that distinguish Meghalaya as a tribal state from others, emphasising the need to strengthen bonds between communities and promote social harmony.
Women’s Contributions to the Celebrations
Vice-President of the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee, Reeta Ghosh, said women’s participation in the locality’s religious, social and cultural activities had evolved considerably over the years, with women gradually moving from supporting roles to taking on leadership responsibilities.
Ghosh said women had contributed to the community long before they began holding formal positions. In the early years of Durga Puja, organised under the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha, women largely worked behind the scenes. They prepared prasad and bhog, cooked meals for devotees and took part in devotional singing, including kirtan, while male members primarily handled the external arrangements.
She said women gradually assumed more visible responsibilities. Initially, they helped welcome guests, arrange meals and manage reception during programmes. Over time, they began taking up formal positions, including cultural secretary, and participating in sporting activities such as volleyball and basketball.
Ghosh said women’s involvement in social work also grew over the years. The present president, Manas Chaudhuri, has continued to encourage women to participate in religious, social and cultural activities.
Today, women have become an integral part of Rilbong’s community life, holding important positions in the club and Durga Puja Committee. Their responsibilities include cultural programmes, reception and other organisational activities. Ghosh said she was proud to have become the first woman vice-president of the Durga Puja Committee, while other women members have also taken up key responsibilities, including cultural leadership and assistant general secretary positions.
Looking to the future, Ghosh expressed confidence in the younger generation of women, saying that mentoring had long been an important part of Rilbong’s community tradition. Ghosh said the way forward was to preserve Rilbong’s cultural heritage while embracing modernity. By passing on traditions and giving younger women opportunities to contribute new ideas, she believes the community can protect its legacy while adapting to changing times.
From one generation to the next, a legacy of celebration
As Rilbong Durga Puja marks its centenary, the memories of its organisers and participants tell a story that goes beyond a hundred years of celebrations. Through changing times, the festival has remained a symbol of community, continuity and shared traditions. More than the grandeur of its pandals or the scale of its festivities, its legacy lies in the bonds it has nurtured across generations, reflecting Shillong’s rich cultural diversity and the spirit of togetherness that continues to keep the tradition alive.