Dan Boyle, the Lord Mayor of Cork, will inaugurate the city’s first Durga Puja, organized by the local Bengali community, on October 12.
“We’re excited to host Durga Puja in Cork for the first time,” said Rajasree Das Banerjee, one of the event organizers. With approximately 50 Bengali families in the area, the community has come together to prepare for the festivities. Rajasree, who has lived in Ireland for several years and hails from Alipurduar, noted that the preparations have garnered significant enthusiasm from both Bengalis and other Indians residing in Cork.
The puja will take place at the Gaelic Athletic Association hall under the auspices of the Cork Sarbojonin Durgatsab Committee. A five-foot Durga idol has been ordered from Kumartuli in Kolkata, and Rajasree expressed excitement about its arrival.
Unlike the traditional four-day celebration in Bengal, the Cork event will be held over two days. Rajasree is overseeing decorations, food, and cultural programs, emphasizing the importance of preserving Bengali traditions during the celebration.
Following the Lord Mayor’s inauguration, cultural performances are scheduled, including a children’s drama and women singing Rabindra Sangeet. Traditional activities such as dhunuchi naach and sindoor khela will also take place.
Attendees can look forward to prasad being served at the venue, along with food stalls offering both Bengali and Irish cuisine. Rajasree shared an amusing moment when a local chef learned to prepare khichri, a dish unfamiliar to him initially. “We’re curious to see how he manages it,” she added.