“মাগো তুই আসবি বলে যতই আলো জ্বেলেছিলাম,
নবমীর রাত পোহাতেই সব নিভিয়ে ফেলেছিলাম।”
(Ma we had decked up so much awaiting your arrival, but, alas! we had to din everything on Navami night, as it is your time to leave again)

Perhaps every Bengali (including all Bengalis at heart and mind) is humming this famous tune, as we bid adieu to Ma Durga for this year, but it is also a great time to look back at the moments and memories of this year’s Durga Puja. The UK Hindu Cultural Association (UKHCA) organised its annual Durga Puja at the Alexandra Suite, Swanley Town Hall from 17th to 20th October, 2026. In its 14th year, the festivities were marked with the right mix of devotion and fun. The preparation for these four days begin early and we have dedicated teams looking after every aspect of the puja so that it remains a pious yet memorable experience for all the attendees. With the record number of footfall on Maha Ashtami and Bijoya Dashami, we can safely say, we are one of the most visited pujas in London and Kent.

The flavour and sweetness of Bengali culture was evident from our efforts with the decorations and later following the puja rituals of ‘Bodhon’ on Shoshti, Saptami ‘Nabapatrika Snan’, Maha Ashtami ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Arati’, ‘Sondhi Pujo’, Nabami ‘Hom’ and ‘Sindoorkhela’ on Dashami. Every year we try to follow the original ‘tithi’ or dates as per the almanac and that adds a unique character to our puja. Bhog prasad was also available for the attendees and we tried to reduce food wastage as much as possible. This was a well drawn out plan as per our sustainability policy that we remain committed to. We can gladly say that we have been majorly successful this year. Of course, Dashami meant a grand feast of ‘mangsho bhaat’, and like always this meal was a blockbuster!

We were really privileged to have the presence of the Mayor of Dartford – Councillor Avtar Sandhu MBE at our puja this year during the most auspicious occasion of ‘Sondhi Pujo’. This year we lit the ceremonial 108 lamps of ‘Sondhi Pujo’ praying for peace and resolution of disputes all over the world. Many other people from different walks of life were present at our puja including members of the Kent Police team who visited us during ‘Sindoorkhela’ on. Dashami. It was heartwarming to see the intermingling of cultures and presented the true picture of the beautifully integrated society that we live here in the UK.

Lastly, there was the ‘fun’ element that makes the UKHCA puja stand out. Be it the flavour of street side shopping or sharing street food with your friends over ‘adda’ from our varied stalls on the different days of puja or dancing on the beats of ‘dhaak’ and ‘dhunuchi’ on Nabami evening, we made sure that there was never a dull moment. Our ‘dhunuci naach’ was open to all and so many of the visitors joined in the show of community spirit. This year the UKHCA ladies performed a flash mob style dance performance on Nabami which was an instant hit with everyone. It also showcased the multigenerational family that UKHCA is!
While our hearts feel a little empty as Ma Durga has left for Kailash for this year, it also marks the countdown for the next year. As we say in Bengal – “Ashche bochor abar hobe!” (We will celebrate again next year!)

Kumari Pujo
Every year we welcome our daughter, our Uma back home and on Nabami morning, UKHCA celebrates ‘Kumari Pujo’ where a little girl is worshipped as a form of Devi Durga. For many of us, it is the most touching moment of the puja, because we see the Goddess in her purest form. Our erudite priest, Debanjan Mukherjee, performs the puja and it is always an experience to remember. This year, 4 years old Shria Dutta, daughter of Rini Banerjee and Brijesh Dutta of Bexleyheath was selected to be our little Durga. Her cutest expressions made sure that we experienced divinity in her most innocent form.