Brisbane’ Bengalees Durga Puja 2023
Bengali Society of Queensland (BSQ), thriving along the Brisbane River in Australia, proudly represents the heritage and culture of West Bengal along the Ganges River in Kolkata. Probasher Bangali feels at home along the meandering coasts of the Brisbane River and takes every opportunity to create and relive memories and moments of Kolkata so deeply rooted within. With profound care and love the BSQ community brings together every year the major events and festivities for all. The Bengali Society of Queensland has grown consistently and has spread its wings wide, bringing Probashi Bangali under one banner. Today, BSQ is one of the most populated Bengali communities of Queensland. This is the time of the year when new members are added to the BSQ fraternity every year – students, migrants, interstate movers and a large number of non-Bangali friends would flock to become a member and be a part of the family. It is the strong bond of childhood memories, lifestyle, food, bedtime stories, music, dance, movies, celebrations, shopping, adda, festivities and last but not the least, the Sharodiya and Diwali months, make a big difference to all. BSQ rekindles the greatest feeling of belonging and nostalgia that bonds every member into positive vibes and family feeling in a country that feels like home.
This year on the auspicious day, 14th October, BSQ members woke up early morning with the devotional voice of Sri Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s chanting of the Mahalaya. Every Bangali waits patiently to reflect on the spiritual journey of Devi Durga and seek her blessings listening closely with family the Vedic chants relaying the creation of Katyayani Maa Durga, broadcasted by Australian Indian Radio, one of the proud sponsors of BSQ. This is the beginning of Devi Pokhya, heralds the homecoming of Uma ( The other name of Ma Durga) that culminates into the Sharodiya Durgotsav, the biggest and the richest festival of every Bangali, spread in any corner of this planet. The festivities and celebrations are aimed to embrace the ritual of homecoming, be with their loved ones and share the prosperity together. Every day is to be felt like a new and happy day, welcome happiness and gather resources to make the ten days a memorable one until next year. Engage in Sharodiya Mantra – Pujo-r Gondho, with Pujo-r Bazar, Pujo-r Mandop, Pujo-r Alochona, Pujo-r Gaan, Pujo Shonkhya, and Pujo-r Anondyo – “Ay re chutey ay pujor gondho eshechey…“
Long before we heard the bells of Mahalaya and was singing along to the tunes of Agomoni Gaan, our Pujo Mandap’s decoration and theme was well and truly underway under the most creative and experienced hands of one member legend. BSQ’s Sri Sri Durga Mandap is a surprise that is brought to life and finally unveiled the evening before Saptami Pujo. Brisbane is lucky to get a new one each year. The devotees visiting the venue will spend time to admire most intriguingly the art and engineering masterpiece. BSQ is proud and immensely lucky to adorn Devi Durga with a unique backdrop every year since 2009. The garage, in a quiet Western Brisbane Suburban home of the couple, becomes the most active ground of design and artwork, quite in tradition to Kolkata Mandaps. Like the excitement of the Mahalaya, the new Mandap is an excitement, together with the lights which is done by another member’s couple keeping the same traditional Kolkatas lighting. The decorations, announcements of the activities and events that brings everyone together on a Friday evening after work to support in the display and make Durga-Pujo an event to come back to.
Durga Pujo is always full of emotion and nostalgia, and Brisbane’s Probash-er-Bangali community (BSQ) does care about it all – the planning, the management and the execution is no less than what can be a daughter’s hand in marriage. Not any minor chance of “missing out” will be accepted. Every detail goes into making the logistics, safety, entertainment, food, and brotherhood a great success. Any new member will strive to be a part of this mammoth display of worship and cultural extravaganza for their younger generation to witness and be a part of. A five-day event is zipped into two and half days – needs a powerful and action-packed arena. It is possible only with the support of all members, sponsors, donations, volunteers, earlier success stories and the hard work of BSQ Executive Committee. A major initiative also goes in bringing together other communities, Brisbane Council Members, The Local Councilors, The Prime Minister’s Office, the Premier’s Office, the sponsors, The Media Partners and event partners to join in the festivities and continue the strong bond of friend and mateship. Every community and ethnic group find time to support and embrace in the celebration of the Navaratri festival that is better known for BSQ as Durga Pujo.
It is by the tradition of the utsav and the rituals, Maa Durga is adorned with the best jewelleries, sarees, offerings and music-dance-happiness that takes prosperity to the pinnacle. Kolkata’s family and Bonedi pujo style becomes the background of what is seen replicated at BSQ pujo mandap. The flowers, the fresh fruits and vegetables, the delicious home-made bhog, the sugondhi dhuup-dhuno, kashor-ghonta and above all the kola bou is never forgotten. It is a grand show of ladies and gents in their best attire these three days working since early morning to midnight from chopping veggies, frying the luchi, cooking the meals, running errands, to packing and cleaning relentlessly. This pujo season, BSQ has welcomed 1000 guest attendees and served 3000 plus visitors through Friday to Sunday at Coorparoo Secondary College. BSQ was proud to receive letters of appreciation and acknowledgement from the Prime Minister’s and Premier’s Office along with our community stakeholders that went as record and is published in our Annual Magazine or Barshiki Patrika – Kashphool’23. The Kashphool – as the name says, symbolises the season of Devi Durga’s homeward journey. We enrich her homecoming releasing the magazine that showcases the creativity and talent that the members share from all levels. We acknowledge our sponsors, advertisers, members’ art, literature, recounts, life experiences and preserve it as a memory to cherish with family and friends.
“Dhakey ebar porlo kathi, durga pujo r nei je baki” the Protima is unveiled on the sixth day, called Shoshti with the gatherings and pomp of the kashor-ghonta, uloo-dhyoni and dhaak er bajna, making the advent of goddess a very welcoming, over longing and happy start. Maha Saptami, the seventh day ritual begins Saturday, with the rites of bathing the banana plant, the “Kola bou” is mandatory. There are many interpretations of the Kola Bou or Nabapatrika but it is understood that it depicts a woman ready after bath, clean and pure, will stay along and witness the procedure. The same is also sometimes regarded as Lord Ganesha’s wife or Devi Durga in simple attire herself, as the plant form. Maha Ashtami is the 8th day, when Mahishasur was defeated, marks the most important and popular day of visits and gathering by the devotees. Men, women and children will pray and offer their devotional words as the “Anjali” in the name of devi durga. The Anjali is very popular in BSQ, and it is revered many times so that no one misses “Anjali” for another year!! The Khichudi bhog is a must here and the home-made sweets are distributed, visitors and devotees wait in long queues patiently to get the blessings as Bhog-proshaad.
Shondhi Pujo, Maha-Navami and Maha Dashami are the actions for Sunday, the last day of Pujo in Brisbane. The culmination during the day is the Hom – during Shondhi Pujo and the Shindoor khela during Bijoya Dashami in the evening. The 10th day is the “Bisharjan”, when Devi Durga is prepared to return from the celebrations to her abode, where she lives with her sons and daughters, in Kailash. This is popularly named as Bijoya Dashami and all married women would indulge in adorning the Sindoor to another women in love and care of their marriage and prays for a perfect bond and life partner. Unlike the immersion in the Ganges, Durga idol for BSQ is carefully preserved for next year. “Bolo Durga Maiki”, Ashchey Bochhor Abar Hobey…”is the word that is spread and sweets are shared to shower the blessings to all dear and near. The young take the blessings of the elders, saying “Shubho Bijoya”.
BSQ has a tradition of dancing to the drums beat and enjoy the deliciously cooked food to end the night of Visarjan and Dashami on Sunday, this year was Sunday, 29th October. Each day and each night saw a huge gathering and we were proud to see BSQ’s banner spreading and the member following increase. It is an amazing sight to see new faces, young students and family showering their enthusiasm and love of being able to connect for a reason that is deep and true to the core of every Bengali and every Indian born Australian. The icing on the cake, what everyone would look forward, to sit back, relax and enjoy with friends, the Cultural Program – a must have on the Durgotsav Itinerary for Saturday 28th October. This year we were lucky to have Honourable Indian Consulate Mrs. Archana Singh as the Chief Guest, FICQ President Anoop Nunuru and the General Secretary and other eminent guests to preside over the gala show and musical extravaganza. The program closed with a warm vote of thanks from the President, BSQ, Tapas Kumar Mandal, his EC, along with the reverberating claps and rejoicing of the spectators at Coorparoo Secondary College that was full to capacity. Three cheers to team BSQ and pay respect to the traditional owners of the land where we thrive and gather.
Report : Saheli Mukherjee
P.C : Pablo Lanata
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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Kingston hosted the Diwali & Annakut celebration at the Queensland Parliament on Wednesday, 29th November. The significant event has now become a popular celebration at Queensland Parliament house.
It was heartening to see all the invited dignitaries take part in Aarti (Deep parjillan) with lighted tea-lights on their hand. Mantras were recited for the offering of the prepared variety of foods (traditionally thousand varieties/annakuts).
Hyperpigmentation of the skin can cause uneven color and dark patches. Excessive production of melanin is responsible for this condition. Hyperpigmentation can occur on almost any part of the body, including the face, neck, hands, arms and legs.
6. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera works excellently on hyperpigmented skin due to the presence of mucilaginous polysaccharides in the gel. It can remove the dead skin cells and promote regeneration of new skin cells. Before going to bed, apply some fresh aloe vera gel on the hyperpigmented skin and leave it on overnight. Rinse it off in the morning. Follow this remedy daily for a few weeks to get positive results. Combine two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and one-half tablespoon of raw honey. Mix well and allow it to settle for 10 minutes. Now apply the mixture to the pigmentation and let it dry naturally. After 20 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy once daily for at least two weeks and every other day thereafter until you get the desired results.
7. Orange peel: Next time you eat an orange, keep the peel. It contains citric acid that has bleaching properties and can help get rid of dark patches on skin. Add one teaspoon each of lemon juice, milk and honey to one tablespoon of dried orange peel powder. Mix all the ingredients well to get a smooth consistency. Apply the paste on the affected skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, and then massage gently. Finally wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this treatment at least three or four times a week to encourage cell renewal and reduce dark skin patches.
8. Avocados: Enriched with fatty acids, vitamin C and oleic acid, avocados can effectively help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Plus, the various enzymes and high amount of vitamin E in avocados can also reduce pigmentation. Mash one ripe avocado into a smooth paste. Apply the paste on the affected area. Leave it on for half an hour, and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice daily for at least one month to get positive results. Alternatively, mash half of a ripe avocado into a smooth paste and mix in two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of milk. Apply the paste on the affected area. Allow it to dry on its own and the rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily for a month.
9. Sandalwood: Sandalwood is known to enhance skin complexion and it also works effectively for hyperpigmentation or other types of skin blemishes. It is a stimulant, cooling agent and blood purifier. All these properties work together to reduce the appearance of dark patches and give your skin a natural, youthful tone. Mix two tablespoons of sandalwood powder with enough rose water to form a thick paste. Apply this mask over the affected skin area. Leave it on for half an hour, and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice daily for a few weeks to get positive results.
10. Almonds: Being a rich source of vitamin E, almonds are good for skin and especially hyperpigmented skin. Soak five almonds in milk overnight. Next day, remove the almonds from the milk and grind them, adding milk to get a fine paste. Add one teaspoon of honey and few drops of lemon juice to the paste and mix well. Spread the paste over the affected skin before going to sleep. Wash it off in the morning with cold water. Follow this remedy every night for two weeks, and then do it twice weekly. You can also eat almonds on a regular basis to minimize hyperpigmentation.
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President Mukesh Dubey and the GSIA team expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. we extend a special thank you to Ms.Charis Mullen Member of the Queensland Parliament (MP for Jordan), and Shri Swami Atmeshanada ji from Vedanta Centre, whose presence added prestige to the evening. Additionally, President Dubey acknowledged the sponsors, media partners, volunteers, and other organizations that came together to make this event a truly memorable and magical experience.
The GSIA’s Dandiya night at Robelle Domain Park was a testament to the power of community, culture, and collaboration, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.