Ranchi: The Bengali community in Camden in the UK has celebrated Durgotsv in a traditional Bengali style for more than 57 years.
The oldest puja is held by London Durgotsav Committee (LDC).
This year, the ritual will be carried out by alumni from Mesra Bit Amit Ghoshal which is the Implementing Director of ESPEX Battery Limited, a subsidiary of Exide Industries, India.
Speaking with Toi, Ghoshal said that he was not a professional Purohit (Imam), but was happy to be chosen as the chief priest by LDC.
“Durga Pujo in Camden is the oldest in London and honor to be given the responsibility of carrying out this ritual,” he said.
Camden Pujo began to return in 1963 by several Bengali families in England who had roots in Kolkata.
One member of the Puja Committee, Sumana, said that with time, several committees began to host Sharadiya Durgotsav in England.
“Until now, 64 pujas were held, but Camden became the oldest famous and most popular among the Indian community,” he said.
To follow the tradition, the previous idol was taken from Kolkata every year to London and then brought back to soaking.
But because of a pandemic, the committee has decided to defend last year’s idol where Pujo was being carried out this year.
Ghoshal said they would carry out rituals to immerse ‘Ghatt’ but idols would be maintained this year.
Puja is held in the Swiss Scottish library on the edge of the Thames where ritualistic soaking will be carried out.
The presence in the Puja place in the UK has increased since last year due to restrictions on Covid’s related trips.
“We will greatly miss the celebration of our home if the ‘Sabekiani” (Traditional) Pujo is not on Camden and several more places, “Sumana said emphasized that they wanted to stay connected with family in India through the media.
Camden Puja is home to around 400 Bengali families who lived there.
Recently the community in Edinburgh has also begun to arrange Durga Puja for those in Scotland.
Sumana said that last year was carried out virtually because Covid.