Durga Puja 2026: Panvel's Bengali community celebrates Sharodotsav

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For those living away from their ancestral homes, festivals offer more than a reason to celebrate. They bring back familiar traditions, cherished memories and the comforting feeling of belonging. The rhythmic beats of the dhak, the fragrance of incense, the sight of Maa Durga’s idol and the warmth of familiar faces transform an unfamiliar place into home, even if only for a few days.

For the Bengali community at ONGC Township in Panvel, this feeling comes alive every year with Sharodotsav, the much-awaited celebration of Maa Durga. In 2026, the Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha marks the 37th year of its Durga Puja celebrations, reaffirming its commitment to preserving Bengal’s cultural heritage while bringing people together through faith, art and shared traditions.

Founded by Bengali engineers and scientists working with ONGC in Panvel and Navi Mumbai, the Sanstha has nurtured this annual tradition alongside the demanding professional responsibilities of offshore oil exploration and production. Though work and life may take its members far from their ancestral homes, Sharodotsav offers them an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and recreate a little piece of Bengal in Panvel.

For the community, Durga Puja is far more than five days of religious rituals. It is an annual homecoming—a reunion of families and friends, a celebration of shared memories and an opportunity to pass on cultural traditions to the next generation. It is also a reminder that belonging is not defined by geography, but by the people, customs and emotions that connect us.

Over the years, the festival has grown beyond the Bengali community, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the celebrations, seek Maa Durga’s blessings and share the much-loved khichuri bhog prasad. The shared meal embodies the spirit of inclusivity, bringing people together beyond social and cultural differences. In these moments of collective celebration, the essence of Sharodotsav extends beyond devotion to become a celebration of friendship, equality and humanity.

A celebration of faith, art and community

The festivities bring together devotion and cultural expression. Music and dance add vibrancy to the celebrations, while three dramas staged by members of the Sanstha showcase the community’s artistic talent and collective enthusiasm. Each performance reflects the time, effort and passion invested by members who come together to create an experience that extends well beyond the rituals of the festival.

The celebrations begin with a Seat and Draw Competition, opening the festivities to participants from the wider community. The spirit of participation continues throughout the festival, culminating in the emotionally significant occasion of Bijaya Dashami.

As the beats of the dhak fill the air, the traditional Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Dance bring colour, energy and devotion to the final day. Yet, beneath the vibrancy lies a familiar emotion—the sadness of bidding farewell to Maa Durga as she returns to her heavenly abode.

Families and friends embrace, exchange greetings and pray for happiness and prosperity. The farewell becomes a moment of gratitude for the days spent together and a promise to return for another year of celebration.

“Asche bochor abar hobe”: A promise to meet again

For Bengalis, the words “Asche bochor abar hobe”—it will happen again next year—carry a meaning that goes beyond a customary farewell. They express the hope of reunion, the continuity of faith and the certainty that cherished traditions will live on.

Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Mr Abhinandan Ghosh, President of Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha, says, “Our calendar begins with this year’s Durga Puja and continues until the next year’s Durga Puja. In these five days, we find the meaning of life. On Bijaya Dashami, we embrace everyone and exchange wishes for happiness and well-being. Our eternal desire is ‘Asche bochor abar hobe’. Maa Durga, please come back to us next year.”

His words capture the profound emotional connection that the community shares with Sharodotsav. While the celebrations last only a few days, their memories endure for months—the laughter shared among friends, the echoes of the dhak, the warmth of the communal bhog and the heartfelt embraces of Bijaya Dashami.

As the Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha completes 37 years of celebrating Sharodotsav, its journey reflects how cultural traditions remain alive through collective participation, the dedication of generations and the willingness to share one’s heritage with others.

At ONGC Township in Panvel, Sharodotsav is not merely a celebration of Bengal. It is a celebration of home away from home, of unity across communities and of a faith that brings people together in a shared expression of devotion.

And when the final beats of the dhak fade and the lights of the pandal dim, the spirit of the festival continues to live on. Maa Durga may have departed, but the anticipation of her return has already begun.

Asche bochor abar hobe.

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