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Worshipping Ma Durga in the heart of Texas – Houston, Space City, USA
Where Bengal meets Bayou City(Houston); Where Maa Durga comes to Space City
Houston Durga Bari Society is the first Durga temple in North America. Even though Houston has been celebrating Durga Puja since 1975, once it moved to Durga Bari in 2000, it has exploded in popularity. Currently, it is the largest Durga Puja in North America (USA and Canada) with about 10,000 people visiting the Durga Puja over the various days with the largest being on the Saturday of Durga Puja. It has arguably gotten the biggest budget with great concerts, playgrounds, Las Vegas style lighting and many facilities.
Spread over six acres of land with a central temple, auditorium, a multi-purpose education facility(Kala Bhavan), sports fields, external kitchen/pavilion, Durga Bari is on the banks of a big lake where birds flock in droves under setting sun. Events start from 7 am in the morning and goes on till 2 am later at night – it is our own facility and hence, we have great flexibility. Being an established temple with Ashtadhatu deities, we also celebrate the actual Tithi Puja. Weekend Puja is for the masses with Shasthi on Thursday evening, Saptami on Friday, Ashtami and Sandhi Puja on Saturday and Navami and Dashami on Sunday. Since it is established temple, we must perform the Puja on actual days too. Our public celebration and Tithi Puja this year are between Oct 3-7, 2019.
As the hot Houston summer gives away to please fall weather, Houstonians specially from India realize that autumn’s Puja season is upon us. Durga Bari’s Durga Puja draws people from surrounding cities and states The Head Priest, will perform all the rituals, assisted by a team of volunteer assistant priests. Durga Puja is one of the complex Pujas with Pujas being performed for Durga and her children – Ganesh, Kartick, Laxmi and Saraswati. Rituals will span – Bodhon (welcome), Sankalpa (invocation), Mahasnan (ceremonial bathing), Arati (waving of lights), Anjali (Offering), Chandi Paath (chanting of Chandi), Bali (Sacrifice), Hom (ceremonial fire), Sindoor Khela (playing with Sindoor) and Bishorjan(immersion). We offer 108 full lotuses; chant the entire Chandi and follow strict rules.
Puja organizers always plan top class entertainment –featuring the best international artists in the line-up. From Classical and Bengali Music to Puja Melodies and Puja Dhamaka, the artists continue to rock the huge audience every night at Durga Bari. To create the Puja ambiance, there is Las Vegas style lighting and Puja pandals – recreating Bengal in Bayou City. Delicious food is served; mikes blaring the latest hits. Stalls are set up for hopping. There are also events planned for the kids. Finally, on the last day, there is always Bishorjan or immersion to the beating of drums. That is one of the much-awaited events of the annual ceremony.
In short, thanks to the wide diversity of Indian population in Houston, we plan to enjoy the festive season with familiar pomp and splendor, right in the heart of Texas – it will be our home away from home. Where Bengal meets Bayou City(Houston); Where Ma Durga comes to Space City.
Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, Founding Trustee
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