Centuries-Old Bengali Puja Celebrates Tradition and Harmony in Jhansi

On September 29th, 2025, the 165th annual Durga Puja celebration commenced at Bandhav Samiti in Jhansi. The event, steeped in cultural festivities, began with the mesmerizing chanting of 'Chandi Path' and 'Agomoni Gaan' in the early hours, ushering in the five-day festivities.

Bandhav Samiti, one of the oldest Bengali pujas in the region, has been a hub of tradition and community for over a century. The puja is a rich blend of cultural heritage and religious harmony, with the Durga idol being crafted by a Muslim artisan, Abdul Khalil. His father, Abdul Khalik, had been creating the idol for five decades, and now his son is carrying on the family legacy.

As the puja progressed, the community members presented a series of Bengali songs, creating an atmosphere steeped in the cultural traditions of Bengal. In the coming days, the celebrations will include an in-house created Bengali movie based on a short story by Satyajit Ray, a dance drama, and a cultural evening.

Seventy-one-year-old Pradip Tarafdar, an active member since childhood, reflects on the puja's significance, saying, "Puja has always been an important part of our life. All of my friends and our elders used to work out even the minutest details for months before the Puja, trying to do most of the things on our own as we worked under a limited budget." The Samiti has now grown, with overwhelming donations, but the spirit of community and tradition remains strong.