Pimpri Chinchwad’s Banga Bharati Durga Puja celebrates 40 years of culture and community with Ananda Mela, dhunuchi naach and lots more

The celebrations opened on September 27, with the ever-popular Ananda Mela, a home-cooked food festival where families brought out their treasured recipes, from crispy fish fry to decadent Bengali sweets.

This year’s pandal was themed red, the colour symbolising Ma Durga and vermillion. Its design paid homage to Bengal’s sandstone palaces, complete with velvet-draped roofs and chandelier lights, giving a sense of Kolkata’s palaces.

On the inauguration day, the colours came alive, women in red-bordered saris, men in red-and-white kurtas and dhotis, welcomed guests to the beats of conch shells and the rhythm of the dhunuchi naach.

Cultural performances turned the stage into a showcase of Bengal’s artistry. With evenings being full of performances, Dohar, the Kolkata-based folk band, made its Pune debut with soul-stirring baul gaan and folk tunes that carried a message of harmony.

“In the talent show, non-Bengali participants also joined in, learning steps from their Bengali peers, adding a special ‘fusion of cultures’ to the evening,” said Tirth Prasad Mukherjee, committee chairman.

The food was also a highlight. On Saptami, over 2,000 devotees relished the bhog, including khichdi, labra, beguni, payesh, chutneys and more, prepared by cooks from the 24 Parganas. By the next day, the number of devotees had doubled to 4,000. From Bolpur’s clay crafts to Barasat’s jewellery, outside the pandal, stalls buzzed with life.

“Durga Puja is about the triumph of good over evil, but even more, it’s about shunning ego and embracing unity,” said Mukherjee, adding that this year, the youth committee had taken charge with fresh ideas and energy. With stunning artistry and cross-community participation, the 40th year of Banga Bharati Pimpri’s Durga Puja stood out as more than a festival; it became a cultural landmark for Pune.

(Ruta Patil is an intern with The Indian Express)