Durga Puja 2024 5 Places Where Goddess Durga Is Worshiped Apart From India

Durga Puja 2024: Durga Puja is one of the most vibrant festivals in India and is celebrated with equal fervor in many countries around the world. As the Indian diaspora spreads across the world, the festival has become a major cultural event in many countries besides India. These international celebrations reflect the joy, devotion and festivities seen in India, attracting people from diverse backgrounds to partake in the cultural richness and spiritual essence of Durga Puja. From elaborate pandals to traditional rituals, the festive spirit transcends borders and creates a surreal atmosphere that unites communities across the world in honor of goddess Durga.

Here are five countries where Durga Puja is celebrated with the same enthusiasm as in India:

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Nepal:

Also known as Dashain, this 10-day festival is one of the most important celebrations in Nepal. The country celebrates the festival similarly to India, especially during the Dashain period, the king is highly recognized and is more active in the celebrations. There is a complete suspension of public practice as students, institutions, schools and even some public organizations are closed so that everyone can spend time with their families. Multiple festivals are observed in the country that also include rites and rituals.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh, which is home to the second largest population of Bengali Hindus, observes Durga Puja with great enthusiasm. The celebration of this festival occurs in almost all cities and districts. Temples that offer beauty and peace, intricate sculptures of the goddess Durga, where the faithful come to pray and ask for blessings from the goddess. Durga pooja has a very special place in the cultural practice and religion of the Hindu population of Bangladesh.

The United Kingdom:

In Britain, the Indian diaspora celebrates the Durga Puja festival much more rigorously. Many women’s organizations participate in the celebration where they bring the images of the goddess that are most appropriate for the chaste Bengali celebration. These gatherings also serve as a means for people to connect, fostering a sense of community during the festival. Durga Puja is a time for the Indian community to come together and spread love and unity.

The United States of America:

Durga Puja festivities in the US began in the 1970s and have grown over time. Today, the Festival is celebrated in all 50 states of America, especially among the Bengali Indian population. Some associations have taken up the responsibility of hosting this five-day festival and providing a venue where people socialize and attend religious activities, making the event very important for Indian residents in the country.

Australia:

The first Durga Puja celebration in Australia was organized by a group of 12 families residing in New South Wales in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to major cities in the country. In Sydney, Bengali immigrants and other Indian communities begin the festivities. Meanwhile, in the Australian city of Melbourne, the public is active in the southern Keysborough area, where the community practices rituals, making it a community Durga Puja.