NEW YORK: The second Times Square Durga Utsav brought together Bengali diaspora communities, devotees, tourists and cultural enthusiasts at Father Duffy Square in New York on October 10 and 11, despite unfavourable weather. The two-day celebration featured religious rituals, Mahalaya observances, music, dance and cultural performances, while six long-running organisations in the United States were honoured for their contributions to preserving Bengali traditions across generations.
Organised by the Times Square Durga Utsav Association, with Asha Group as the event partner and support from Apnabazar, the festival transformed a prominent public space in Manhattan into a meeting point for worship, cultural expression and community participation.
The event attracted people who travelled from different parts of the United States, alongside international tourists and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds. Despite the weather challenges, attendees participated in the religious ceremonies and watched performances celebrating Bengali music, dance and heritage.
For members of the Bengali diaspora, the gathering offered an opportunity to reconnect with familiar customs and share them with younger generations and people from other communities.
Religious rituals and cultural performances mark the festival
The two-day celebration combined traditional Durga Puja observances with performances designed to showcase Bengali culture in an internationally recognised public space.
Religious activities included Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami observances, alongside pushpanjali and prasad distribution. The programme also featured Mahalaya-related traditions and cultural presentations that reflected the religious significance of the festival.
The second day included Sindoor Khela and further performances, bringing elements of familiar Bengali celebrations to the heart of New York.
Music and dance were important parts of the programme. Artists and performers presented Bengali songs, while children and young people participated in cultural activities that highlighted their connection with their heritage.
The festival also featured the Dash Mahavidya dance drama and musical performances by Mekhla Dasgupta and Deyashini Roy. These presentations brought together religious themes and artistic expression, helping introduce aspects of Bengali culture to a wider audience.
Six organisations honoured for preserving Bengali heritage
One of the major highlights of the festival was the recognition of six organisations that have been organising Durga Puja in the United States for at least five decades. Their work in sustaining Bengali traditions, religious celebrations and cultural activities was acknowledged during the event.
The six organisations honoured were:
- Bay Area Prabasi Inc. – California
- Bengali Association of Greater Chicago – Illinois
- Bengali Cultural Society – Ohio
- East Coast Durga Puja Association – New York
- Kallol – New Jersey
- Pragati – Pennsylvania
The recognition highlighted the contributions of community organisations that have maintained cultural traditions far from their place of origin. Over several decades, such groups have helped Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja, organise cultural programmes and create spaces where younger generations can learn about their language, customs and religious heritage.
For Indian and Bengali communities living abroad, these organisations often serve as important cultural centres. Their activities help sustain connections with traditions while allowing people born or raised outside India to participate in celebrations familiar to their parents and grandparents.
The awards also drew attention to the volunteers and community members whose sustained efforts make such events possible. Organising religious festivals in another country requires coordination, participation and support from people across different generations.
Indian diplomats and international guests attend
The event brought together representatives from diplomatic, public and cultural circles. According to the organisers, the festival received greetings from Zohran Mamdani.
Among those attending were India’s Consul General in New York, Binaya Pradhan, Prince Mario Max and senior United Nations delegates.
Their presence added an international dimension to the celebration, which combined religious observances with a broader programme of cultural exchange.
Times Square is one of New York City’s best-known public spaces, attracting residents and visitors from around the world. Holding Durga Puja there gave participants an opportunity to present Bengali traditions in a setting familiar to people from many countries.
The gathering also demonstrated how cultural festivals organised by diaspora communities can bring together people with different linguistic, religious and national backgrounds. Visitors could experience traditional music, dance and rituals while learning about the significance of Durga Puja.
Community participation keeps traditions alive
The festival’s programme placed particular emphasis on participation by children and young people. Their performances and involvement in cultural activities reflected the role of community events in transmitting traditions across generations.
For families living far from Bengal, festivals such as Durga Puja provide opportunities to maintain links with their cultural roots. Music, dance, rituals and shared meals can help younger members of the community develop an understanding of traditions that might otherwise be less visible in their everyday lives.
The participation of people from different US states also gave the gathering the character of a community reunion. Attendees could meet friends, reconnect with fellow Bengalis and celebrate familiar customs together.
Bishwajit Saha, an event organiser and editor of the festival’s souvenir publication, highlighted the contribution of individuals and organisations involved in promoting Bengali culture internationally.
At the conclusion of the two-day programme, association president Shashadhar Hawladar and general secretary Nirupama Saha thanked volunteers and participants who had travelled from different parts of the United States. They expressed appreciation for the support and enthusiastic participation that helped the event proceed despite the adverse weather.
A celebration of Bengali culture on a global stage
The second Times Square Durga Utsav brought religious observances, artistic performances and community recognition together in one of New York’s most prominent public locations.
The event’s significance extended beyond the two days of festivities. By honouring six organisations with decades of experience in organising Durga Puja, it recognised the long-term work required to preserve cultural identity within diaspora communities.
The celebration also offered an opportunity to introduce Bengali traditions to international visitors and encourage younger generations to remain connected with their heritage.
Despite the weather challenges, the festival drew participation from across the United States and showcased the continuing role of community-led initiatives in sustaining cultural traditions abroad.