It is hard not to get excited about Durga Puja if you are a bengali, no matter where you are situated. Out of curiosity few of us Bengalis started talking about organising a small Durga Puja in Dunedin during our usual weekly gathering (mostly drinking!). At first it seemed a far-fetched idea, but once everyone was upto it and excited, it felt like an achievable task if everyone helps. The scenario right now stands at the routine mentioned below. However, this is nowhere near to final and every single one of you is invited to give your inputs into the matter. We know that this is not an easy task and would require each one of yours’ help.
It will be ideal if all of us can meet for an hour or two on a particular day and discuss the matter. The issue right now is that most of us are busy with the Queenstown research week and will be free around the 10th September. However, feel free to send your inputs. I will also merge the Facebook page with it for easy communication. The current question is the number of people willing to attend and therefore a general head count. You can confirm your interest by directly contacting any of us(more people will be added to the contact list).
Again based on a couple of meetings we’ve had and an approximate head count, we have proposed the following donation amounts.
Family - $100
Non-Student - $60
Student – $35
To reiterate the fact that nothing is final and everything is proposed and therefore, we need your inputs into the matter.
We are getting the idol from Auckland from an art student who has agreed to make one ( a small one though!) and collect it.
As far as performing the Puja rituals, right now there are two candidates (Brahmins) , Akash and Aniruddha ( We are even far from amateurs). However, we have managed to find a purohit who will perform the rituals on Skype and i'll need to follow his instructions :) .
More than doing a Puja, it will be an occasion for the bongs to get together and at least feel a part of the festivity together rather than just spending another normal weekend in Dunedin!
It will be ideal if all of us can meet for an hour or two on a particular day and discuss the matter. The issue right now is that most of us are busy with the Queenstown research week and will be free around the 10th September. However, feel free to send your inputs. I will also merge the Facebook page with it for easy communication. The current question is the number of people willing to attend and therefore a general head count. You can confirm your interest by directly contacting any of us(more people will be added to the contact list).
Again based on a couple of meetings we’ve had and an approximate head count, we have proposed the following donation amounts.
Family - $100
Non-Student - $60
Student – $35
To reiterate the fact that nothing is final and everything is proposed and therefore, we need your inputs into the matter.
We are getting the idol from Auckland from an art student who has agreed to make one ( a small one though!) and collect it.
As far as performing the Puja rituals, right now there are two candidates (Brahmins) , Akash and Aniruddha ( We are even far from amateurs). However, we have managed to find a purohit who will perform the rituals on Skype and i'll need to follow his instructions :) .
More than doing a Puja, it will be an occasion for the bongs to get together and at least feel a part of the festivity together rather than just spending another normal weekend in Dunedin!