Durga Puja, the quintessence of Bengal’s cultural spirit, has long travelled with its diaspora, transforming community halls across continents into extensions of Kolkata’s pandals. This year, the celebrations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada reflect how rituals, nostalgia, and cultural pride sustain the festival far from home.

In Sydney, the Bengali Association of New South Wales (BANSW) is marking 50 years of celebrating Durga Puja. What began with barely 50 members and a weekend celebration has now blossomed into more than five hundred members, and the celebrations span over the five traditional days – from Bodhon to Bijoya, between September 28 and October 2.

“We have always believed in pujor dine pujo (celebrating on the exact days). Completing 50 years makes this milestone truly special,” said Gautam Gangopadhyay, former president of BANSW.

The idols, crafted in Kolkata, are reused annually in keeping with sustainability practices. The celebration, which runs on a budget of 55,000 to 60,000 Australian dollars, is funded through donations.

“The bhog is free, but contributions are welcome – it keeps the festival open to everyone,” Gangopadhyay said.

With dhakis flown in from Kolkata, home-cooked feasts, and cultural performances, the Sydney Puja draws not only the Bengali community but also the wider local audience.

In the heart of Scottish renditions of Durga Puja lies Edinburgh’s Bengali community under the Sabash committee. They insist on conducting Durga Puja with absolute ritual fidelity. “All the rules are followed distinctly – nothing is compromised,” said Ritobina Chakraborty, a student and a committee member.

Unlike in Bengal, there is no immersion. The idol is reused annually, making the celebration both practical and environmentally conscious. This emphasises the importance of sustainable Puja practices. The Puja also draws strong support from the local communities – residents assist in preparations, children present cultural performances, and Bengalis from across Scotland gather for the occasion.

“This year, there are talks of celebrating with the Glasgow Bengali committee as well,” said Ritobina when asked about this year’s plans. “For us, Puja is as much about togetherness as it is about worship,” she reiterated.

In the intimate interiors of Edmonton, Canada, the organisation Krishti hosts one of the several Durga Pujas in the city. The celebrations are compressed into two intensive days, usually coinciding with Canadian Thanksgiving. “Securing a hall that allows fire rituals is our biggest challenge,” said Enakshmi Mukherjee, a resident as well as a committee member.

A Bengali priest conducts the ceremonies, while volunteers prepare elaborate feats. Artists are often flown in from Kolkata, and the idol, sourced from Kumortuli, is reused each year, as Canadian environmental rules do not allow a traditional immersion.

“When the dhak plays, it really feels like Kolkata for a moment,” recalled Enakshmi. The festivities include dhunuchi naach, hom, and end with sindoor khela. When asked if she would want to incorporate anything new, Enakshmi replied, “I would love it if all the organisations could consolidate it into one bigger celebration. That would resemble how it is done back home.”

At the heart of all these celebrations across continents lies a common dream: to recreate the familiar feeling of a home away from home. Durga Puja is as much about identity as it is about faith – it affirms what many in the diaspora say: wherever Bengalis go, Ma Durga follows.

(Parthivee Mukherji is an intern with The Indian Express)