Melbourne’s Bengali community is ready to put on a dazzling display at its annual Durga Puja spring festival.
Running from September 26-28 at Riverbend Primary School in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne Bengali Association (MELBA) is inviting people from all ages and interests to join in the festivities.
Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival, that is particularly popular in West Bengal, Assam and other eastern Indian states, that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
This year’s festival will include the opportunity for cultural exchange, the chance to sample delicious Indian cuisine and have plenty of activities on offer for the kids.
Mandira Ghosh, one of the organisers, said the event, now in its 12th year, has grown in spades.
“We love doing it and that is why we started this one in Wyndham, because it is very hard if people have to go far away to participate in [Durga Puja].
“It has grown heaps, even people from regional Victoria come along now.
“We also want to exchange our culture with other people’s cultures, so that’s why we invite other cultural groups to participate in our cultural program.”
The cultural exchange, one of the main events of the festival, is a platform for different cultural groups to showcase their talent via song and dance.
However, Ms Ghosh said the event ultimately helps younger members of the Bengali community proudly preserve their traditions.
“We want to pass on our traditions and culture to the next generation, so they will also know how we celebrate our traditional culture.”
Details: www.melba.org.au/
