As the saying goes, wherever a Bengali lives, the surroundings create the atmosphere of Bengal. Be it Hong Kong or Honolulu – Bengalis roam everywhere with absolute power. That's why, whether it's a dusty desert or a snow-covered continent, autumn always comes. Mother Durga came along. 'Ashvin's Sharad Prate' is exactly where Virendrakrishna Bhadra's melodious voice rang out Mahalaya. Expatriate Bengalis perform Durga Puja on Mahananda from seventh to tenth. America's South Carolina 'talk' is no exception. Uma is being worshiped in Trump's country by their initiative for three years. Everyone enjoys a bit of Bengal atmosphere. However, this year the special attraction of 'Alapne' is Goddess Durga brought from Kumortuli herself. There are more arrangements.
This year is the third year Durga Puja of 'Alapne'. This is the first time Durga Pratima is crossing from Kumortuli in Kolkata to South Carolina! As a result, pleasure and attraction have increased threefold. Team 'Alapan' feels that this year's puja is not just a journey of Durga Pratima across the ocean. Rather an emotional journey back to the roots from Kumortuli to Carolina, Bengal to America and from one generation to another.
Less than a month at hand. Therefore, South Carolina's team 'Alapan' has started preparations slowly, even if it is not as hectic as Bengal. They say that every year they celebrate Durga Puja with devotion, joy and passion. Which brings to American soil the tradition, memory, culture and well-known atmosphere of Bengal. After that they told the biggest surprise news.
This year is the third year Durga Puja of 'Alapne'. This is the first time Durga Pratima is crossing from Kumortuli in Kolkata to South Carolina! As a result, pleasure and attraction have increased threefold. Team 'Alapan' feels that this year's puja is not just a journey of Durga Pratima across the ocean. Rather an emotional journey back to the roots from Kumortuli to Carolina, Bengal to America and from one generation to another.
This is the arrangement of the tenth anniversary of Alapan. In the puja process and rituals that make this South Carolina festival attractive to all, one is the puja led by a female priest. The Durga Puja of 'Alapane' is performed under the auspices of a female priest, which is still relatively rare in Durga Puja circles outside India. Durga Puja is organized and managed by a group of women volunteers. From puja rituals to cultural events, various preparations to overall bringing everyone under one roof – they have been working together in every aspect.
Every year, the rich visual arts and cultural heritage of Bengal shines through this Durga Puja pavilion in South Carolina. From Bengali villages, folk arts and folk traditions to the changing cultural forms of the modern Bengali city – these elements are presented anew through mandapa decoration and art.
'Alapan' is open to everyone even if they are rooted in Bengali culture abroad. People from different cultural backgrounds, from Bengali and non-Bengali families, participate in their Durgo Festival. The members of 'Alapan' aim not only to retain their own heritage, but also to share the joy and beauty of that heritage with the larger society.
Every year, the rich visual arts and cultural heritage of Bengal shines through this Durga Puja pavilion in South Carolina. From Bengali villages, folk arts and folk traditions to the changing cultural forms of the modern Bengali city – these elements are presented anew through mandapa decoration and art. In this way, the Bengalis of South Carolina are stirred by the heartbeat of Bengal for a few days of the year. Festival-loving people from all over the world come to one point across the geographical distance.