GLASGOW

30th Year Celebration 1981 - 2010

DURGA PUJA

�

2

SRI SRI DURGA PUJAPROGRAMME

2010

MAHALAYAClarkston Hall, Clarkston Road, Glasgow G76 8NE (Tel: 0141 638 4050)

SATURDAY, 9th October 2010Shri Chandi Paath & Ananda Bhojon - 6.30 - 10.00pm

MAHA SASTHIWEDNESDAY, 13th OCTOBER 2010

Kalparambha, Bodhan, Amontran, Adhibas, Sandhya Arati, Preeti bhoj -- 6.00 pm - 10.00pm

MAHA SAPTAMITHURSDAY, 14th OCTOBER 2010

Puja, Puspanjali, Prasad 6.00 - 8.00pmand Bhog Bitoron 8.00 - 10.00pm

MAHA ASTHAMIFRIDAY, 15th OCTOBER 2010Puja, Puspanjali, Prasad, Bhog Bitoron

5.00 - 11.00 pm • Sandhi Puja -- 8.00 pm

MAHA NAVAMISATURDAY, 16th OCTOBER 2010

Puja, Puspanjali, Prasad, Bhog Bitoron5.00 - 10.00 pm

BIJOYA DASAMISUNDAY, 17th OCTOBER 2010

Puja, Bisorjan, Santijal, Prasad,Mistanna Bitoron and Preeti Bhoj

5.00 - 10.00 pm

MAHA LAKSHMI PUJACouper Institute, 86 Clarkston Road, Glasgow G44 3DA

FRIDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2010Puja, Arati, Puspanjali and Bhog Bitoron

6.30 - 10.00 pm

MAHA KALI PUJAClarkston Hall, Clarkston Road, Glasgow G76 8NE

FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2010Puja, Puspanjali, Prasad and Bhog Bitoron

6.30 - 10.00 pm

SARBOJANIN DURGOTSAVCouper Institute, 86 Clarkston Road, Glasgow G44 3DA (Tel: 0141 637 2157)

WEDNESDAY, 13th October - SUNDAY 17th October 2010

CONTENTS PageSri Sri Durga Puja Programme 2010 ............................................................................................... 2Editorial .......................................................................................................................................... 5Executive Committee - Bangiya Sanskritik Parishad ........................................................................ 6Social Calendar for the Year 2010-2011 .......................................................................................... 6Message from: The President, Bangiya Sanskritik Parishad ..................................................................................... 7The Chairman, Durga Puja Committee ........................................................................................... 9First Minister of Scotland .............................................................................................................. 11Consul General of India ................................................................................................................ 13Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police ............................................................................................... 15Past Puja Memories ..................................................................................................................16-17Durga Puja Committee 2010 ...................................................................................................18-19Past Puja Memories ..................................................................................................................20-21Mahalaya 2010 .............................................................................................................................. 22Mahalaya ....................................................................................................................................... 23Message from the Lord Provost of Glasgow ................................................................................... 25Deputy First Minister of Scotland ................................................................................................. 27Hinduism in India ...................................................................................................................28-29Thirty Years On ............................................................................................................................. 31The Spiritual Significace of Navaratri ........................................................................................32-33Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 35

ADVERTISERS PageIncredible India ...................................................................................................... inside front coverPoddar Group ................................................................................................................................. 4Dalmellington Care Centre ............................................................................................................. 8Bank of India ................................................................................................................................ 10Thistle Healthcare ......................................................................................................................... 12Bagaria Family ............................................................................................................................... 12Strathclyde Police .......................................................................................................................... 14Hutchesons’ Grammar School ....................................................................................................... 24Mrs. S. Agrawalla .......................................................................................................................... 24Kabana .......................................................................................................................................... 26Banana Leaf Ltd. ........................................................................................................................... 26Globrin UK Ltd. ........................................................................................................................... 29Here & Now ................................................................................................................................. 30New Cafe Punjab .......................................................................................................................... 34Hardware Cut Price Stores ............................................................................................................ 34Shandar Sweet and Pan House....................................................................................................... 34Joy’s Catering Services ................................................................................................................... 34KRK .............................................................................................................................................. 36HDFC Home Loans ............................................................................................... inside back cover

�

4

5

EDITORIAL

This year marks the 30th year of Durga Puja in Glasgow. It is unique in that it is the only celebration of its kind in Scotland and holds a very special place in the heart of all Bengalis. Eagerly waited for during the course of the year, the sights and sounds from the elaborately decorated Durga pandal, the beats of the dhaks and the sounds of the conch shells during the five days of the celebrations, unites us all.The enthusiasm, emotion and pride that marked the very first celebrations in Glasgow way back in 1981 continue to grow stronger every year.Durga Puja with its message of victory of good over evil, peace and unity amongst mankind, is an integral part of our Bengali culture and way of life and helps enhance our contribution to multi-cultural Scotland.Our appreciation and thanks go to the numerous public dignitaries who have provided messages of support.Our very special thanks go to Councillor Hanzala Malik from Glasgow City Council for his continuous help and support.Our thanks also go to Glasgow City Council and in particular their help in providing a safe place to store our images.Our thanks go to members of the community who store the various items that are required during the Puja.This souvenir helps us to raise funds for celebrating the Durga Puja. We are therefore grateful to all our advertisers and other patrons who have contributed financially as well as to those who have given their own time and effort to ensure the continued success of the Puja.We hope that you all find reading the various articles within the souvenir informative and above all enjoy this year’s celebrations.

Mrs Sheela MukherjeeDr Satya ChakrabartiEditors & Souvenir Conveners

6

SOCIAL CALENDAR fOR THE YEAR 2010-11

Saturday 20th November 2010 6.30pm Bijoya Sammelani Clarkston Hall

Saturday 18th December 2010 7.00pm Christmas Party Carmichael Hall

Tuesday 8th February 2011 7.00pm Saraswati Puja Clarkston Hall

Saturday 16th April 2011 6.30pm Nababarsho Clarkston Hall

Saturday 11th June 2011 Day Picnic TBA

Saturday 18th June 2011 3.00pm AGM Bearsden Hall

BANGIYA SANSKRITIK PARISHAD(Established 1971)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2010-2011

PRESIDENT ...............................................................................................Dr. Pinaki Ghosh

GENERAL SECRETARY .................................................................Dr. Mridula Chakraborty

TREASURER .....................................................................................................Mrs. Ira Das

SOCIAL SECRETARY ...................................................................... Mrs. Aditi Palchoudhuri

PUJA CONVENER ............................................................................ Mrs. Sheela Mukherjee

AUDITOR ............................................................................................ Mr. Mihir Mukherjee

CO-OPTED MEMBERS ........Dr. Sandip K. Ghosh, Dr. Arijit Mukherjee, Mrs. Sruti Majumdar, Dr. Dilip Ganguly, Mrs. Sraboni Bhattacharya, Mr. Dilip Mukherjee, Mrs. Swati Adhikari,

Mr. Dhrubo Kundu, Dr. Debjani Patra, Dr. Sudipta Roy & Mr. Asim Datta

PUJA TREASURER ..........................................................Dr. Haradhan Datta & Mrs. Ira Das

SPECIAL EVENTS: SARODIA SUNDORI BAUL fAKIRS Theme: Rabindranath & Sarodoutsab from India Saturday 16th October 2010 (Navami Evening) Sunday 17th October 2010 (Dasami Evening) Banglanatak.com Deeptarka Mukhopadhyay - UK Consultant

7

BANGIYA SANSKRITIK PARISHAD(BENGALI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION)

Estd. 1971

MESSAGE fROM THE PRESIDENT

Amidst the conflicts and incompatibilities which pervade through the length and breadth of the world, the Holy occassion of DURGA PUJA unites the people into the religious and cultural hub to celebrate the visit of the DEVI DURGA from the Himalayas to her ancestors house.

The Mythological background of the PUJA dates back to the PURAN age when the almighty GODDESS DURGA saved the universe by killing the Demon MAHISASUR. The worship of the GODDESS reminds the triumph of Good over Evil.

On the spiritual days of the DURGA PUJA, it is the intention to make the blessings of almighty Mother to bring Peace and Trnquillity in the world.

It is not just an annual ritual, but also a meeting place of people irrespective of casts and beliefs of different religions.

Visitors to the Puja are greeted as August Guests with motto of “BASUDHAIBA KUTUMBAKAM” to show that people of the world are relatives.

Everybody is free to participate in every part of the Festivity and heartily communicate with each other.

I convey my sincere thanks to everybody.

Dr. Pinaki GhoshPresident

8

9 Waterside Street,Dalmellington,East Ayrshire,

KA6 7SW

Tel: 01292 550555

We are pleased to be associatedwith this event

With Best Wishesfrom

DalmellingtonCare Centre

9

DURGA PUJA COMMITTEEBangiya Sanskritik Parishad

Glasgow

DURGA PUJA 2010

MESSAGE fROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Durga Puja 2010.

It does not seem like only thirty years ago when we first started Durga Puja.

My Peers and I had been discussing for a long time the need to celebrate Durga Puja in Glasgow. Even though we were now living miles away from our native home, our dear Kolkata, as Bengalis no one can appreciate how much it means to us. Whether it is the time for the whole family to unite, or for us to dance to the beats of the dhak or to light a candle at ahandhi puja; nothing can compare to the beauty and the intensity that is Durga Puja.

And so, the late Pulak Mukherjee, Nihar Banerjee, Dipen Mukhopadhyay, Satyen Mukherjee and many others including myself began to put the wheels in motion for this to begin. From its humble beginnings to the present moment, we have lost many who made this Puja what it is today but at the same time we have many who have been with us all the way. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this Puja, even in the smallest of ways for their contributions. We rely on everyone from the kitchen staff to the people who help in distributing the fruits to those who attend every year because without you, our Puja would not be nearly as magical as it is.

I always look forward to these five days we have. In these five days we unite as a family and even though our Puja may not be as magnificent as the festivities in Kolkata, it means much more to me. Five days never seems enough time to see everyone again but at least we have that time together. My only wish is that we continue this Durga Puja and I have faith that it will be as grand as it is now, if not more.

I wish everyone a Happy Durga Puja.

Satya Ranjan Chakrabarti Chairman

10

Relationship beyond Banking

Offering interest rate of 3.50%

for 2 year Fixed Deposits

Opening ofNRE NRO and FCNR account

in any branch of Bank of India in India

Free Rupee remittance to any Bank any branch in India

Please contact our Glasgow Branch at 1, Somerset Place, Glasgow G3 7JT Phone: 0141 332 8129

Interest rate offered above is for limited period and the rate may be changed without notice

11

“It gives me great pleasure to offer my best wishes for this year’s Durga Puja celebration. I know that this celebration is an opportunity for families and friends from Scotland’s Hindu community to come together and celebrate their religion and culture. It is also an opportunity for other communities in Scotland to celebrate with you. Scotland is a multicultural and multi-faith nation and we are all the stronger for celebrations like Durga Puja. Strengthening the links between our different communities makes Scotland a thriving and inclusive country.

I would like to offer the event organisers and all those attending my very best wishes for a successful and enjoyable festival.”

12

Thistle Healthcare Ltd.

Best Wishes to

Durga PujaGlasgow 2010

From

Mr & Mrs Dev Fowdar and Family

Greetings toDurga PujaGlasgow 2010

Dr & Mrs Bagariaand Family

Edinburgh

1�

14th September, 2010

MESSAGE

India is blessed with the richness of age-old culture & civilization, diversities & complexities and is home to people of different religions, faiths, customs, rituals, languages and tradi-tions. We celebrate different festivals, worship different Gods, speak different languages, eat different food and wear different clothes but we always cherish our unique Indian-ness and celebrate our unity in diversity. Secularism is a philosophy embedded in our history; our value-based systems and our deep-rooted spirituality.

The multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic nature of our society ensures a continu-ous celebration of many different festivals in India, of which Durga Puja holds the pride of place. It inculcates the noble values of peace, truth, compassion, humility and humanity. Goddess Durga embodies the virtues of intelligence, power and mercy and epitomises the victory of good over evil.

I am extremely happy that the Bangiya Sanskritik Parishad, Glasgow will celebrate Durga Puja for the 30th year running in October this year. It is really an important milestone which we are justifiably proud of.

All my colleagues and their families in the Consulate General of India, Edinburgh join me in extending our warm greetings and best wishes for successful Durga Puja celebrations.

(Anil Kumar Anand)Consul General

14

15

Message from the Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police, Mr Stephen House QPM

It gives me great pleasure to once again offer the best wishes and continued support of Strathclyde Police to the Hindu Bengali community at this time of Durga Puja celebration.

I offer my regards and appreciation, in this the 30th year of the event, to the planning committee for providing this extraordinary festival which is enjoyed by people of diverse faiths and backgrounds. Strathclyde Police recognises that working together to build safer communities allows people to live without fear of crime and I fully support and applaud the work that the Hindu Community and Strathclyde Police do together.

The celebration of festivals such as Durga Puja allow us to see the positive and valuable contribution that cultural diversity brings to the Strathclyde area and I am delighted to be able to extend my warmest congratulations to all concerned and may health, wealth and prosperity come your way during Durga Puja.

16

Past Puja Memories

17

All photographs taken by Prashanta Roy

18

ARTWORK & DECORATIONS Jayanti Kundu Aparna Majumdar Mohua Ray SOUVENIR Sheela Mukherjee Satya Chakrabarti Shankar Bhaduri Gautam PatraMAHALAYA Shyamal MajumdarRECEPTION Ruma Majumder Madhushri Burman Roy Swapna Roy Bharati Sain Sudakshina Kundu Soheli Mukherjee Samir Majumder Kamal Mondal Nirmal Dhar Satyen Mukherjee Ashis Mallik Ashok Chakraborty Shyamal Sengupta Robin Roy Mihir Mukherjee Shankar BhaduriSOCIAL ORGANISER Suchitra MukherjeeCHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Mohua Ray Arunima Mukhopadhyay

DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE 2010CHAIRMAN Dr Satya ChakrabartiSECRETARY Mr Shankar Bhaduri, Mr Dhruba KunduTREASURER Dr Haradhan Datta, Mrs Ira DasCONVENER Mrs Sheela Mukherjee

PUROHITSMr. Dilip Chatterjee for Durga Puja, Mr Pradip Chaudhuri for Kali Puja

SUB-COMMITTEEPUJA PREPARATION & PROSAD DISTRIBUTION Asha Mallik Mridula Chakraborty Ira Das Jayanti Kundu Aditi Palchoudhuri Supriya Bhaduri Kamala Ray Pratima Sengupta Meena Dutta Kalpana Sinha Anju Chatterjee Reba Rakhit Swati Adhikari Kajal Chakrabarty Rashmi Routray Kalpana Mukherjee Leena Mukherjee Molly Mukherjee Chhabi Majumdar Lily Roy Vimla Das Paushali Majumdar Baisali Sengupta Debjani Patra Kiron Ghosh Jaba Ganai Moni Mondal Maitraye Ghosh Shalini Datta Ruma Saraswati Nripen Ganai Durga Rakhit Biswanath Sinha Gautam Patra

19

BHOG PREPARATION Anu Sarkar Suchitra Mukherjee Moni Mondal Uma Chakrabarti Anita Dhar Kiron Ghosh Swapna Roy Usha Sengupta Jaba Ganai Meena Ray Mohua Ray Sumana Roy Dipti Mahapatra Tarapada Sain Parthapratim & Meghomala Ghosh-Biswas Shankar & Supriya Bhaduri Amit & Sunetra Deb Dhruba & Sudakshina Kundu Joydeep & Moumita Dey Gautam & Debjani Patra Arunava & Pamela Ghosh-Roy Babulayeb & Arunima Mukhopadhyay Arijit & Indrani Mukherjee Gour & Tripti Sarkar Sanjeet & Shraboni Bhattacharya Bishnu & Rashmi Routray Bhajaman & Chhabi Singh Susant & Sashmita Barik Tofan & Sushmita Sahoo Debodutta & Mama Rath Ashis & Priyanka Mishra Nilokantha & Anima Rath Pramurtta & Poushali Majumdar Bhabani Nayak

HALL MAINTENANCE Helen & her teamKITCHEN CARER Alexander (Alex)

BHOG DISTRIBUTION Sandip Ghosh Amit Datta Amit Deb Sanjeet Bhattacharya Arijit Mukherjee Sudipta Ray Parthapratim Ghosh-Biswas Siddhartha Adhikari Priyo Sengupta Ankur Mukherjee Pramurtta Shourjya Majumdar Aniket Sinha Arun Das Robin Bhattacharya Dhruba Kundu

PHOTOGRAPHER Prasanta Roy

GENERAL MANAGEMENT Sandip Ghosh Gour Sarkar Bibhas Ray Dilip Ganguly Dilip Mukherjee Ashok Roy Purnendu Das Haradhan Datta Ashim Datta Bishnu Routray Pinaki Ghosh Mihir Palchaudhuri Amit Datta Goutamananda Ray Saibal Sen Dev Mukherjee Ramen Kundu

Our apologies if we have missed out anyone’s name.

20

21

All photographs taken by Prashanta Roy

2�

MAHALAYA

The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits

the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting

chant of ‘chandi patth’ fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of

“devipaksha” and the countdown of Durga Puja. It’s a kind of invocation or invitation to the

mother goddess to descend on earth - “Jago Tumi Jago”. This is down through chanting of

mantras and singing devotional songs.

The story element is captivating. It speaks of the increasing cruelty of the demon king Maheswara

against the gods. Unable to tolerate his tyranny the gods plead with Vishnu to annihilate the

demon. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Shiva) come together to create a powerful

female from with ten arms - Goddesss Durga or ‘Mahamaya’, the Mother of the Universe who

embodies the primeval source of all power.

The gods then bestow upon this Supreme creation their individual blessings and weapons.

Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion to battle with Mahisasra. After a fierce combat

the ‘Durgatinashini’ is able to slay the ‘Asura’ king with her trident. Heaven and earth rejoice

at her victory. Finally, the mantra narration ends with the refrain of mankind’s supplication

before this Supreme Power:

“Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai

namo namaha.”

This day bears immense significance for the Bengalis. It is according to the myths that Sree Rama

hastily performed Durga Puja just before he set for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana. According

to Puranas, King Suratha, used to worship the goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also

known as Basanti Puja. But Rama brought the Puja forward and worshiped Durga in autumn

and that is why it is known as ‘Akal Bodhon’ or untimely worship. It was considered untimely

as it is in the myths that puja was performed when the Gods and Goddesses were awake i.e.

“Uttarayan” and was not held when the Gods and Goddesses rested i.e. “Dakshinayan”. It was

on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of “devipoksha”, the Gods and Goddesses woke up to

prepare themselves for Durga Puja.

Autumn in its bloom, mingled with the festive spirit of Durga Puja reaches its pitch on the day

of Mahalaya. From this day starts ‘Devipaksha’ and marks the end of ‘Pitri-paksha’. It is the

day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, clad in dhotis to offer prayers to their dead

relatives and forefathers. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take

holy dips in the Ganges. This ritual is known as ‘Tarpon’.

22

Mahalaya 2010

Narration:Sudipta Roy

Babulayab Mukhopadyay

Music:Shyamal Majumder

Tabla:Arunava Ghosh-RoyGoutamananda Ray

Stage Decoration:Jayanti Kundu

Vocal:Aditi Palchaudhuri

Debjani PatraSupriya Bhaduri

Uma ChakrabartiMridula Chakraborty

Kamala RayMahua RaySumana RoyAnu Sarkar

Pratima SenguptaSandip Ghosh

Shankar BhaduriArunava Ghosh-RoyGoutamananda Ray

Babulayab Mukhopadyay

2�

MAHALAYA

The traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits

the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting

chant of ‘chandi patth’ fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of

“devipaksha” and the countdown of Durga Puja. It’s a kind of invocation or invitation to the

mother goddess to descend on earth - “Jago Tumi Jago”. This is down through chanting of

mantras and singing devotional songs.

The story element is captivating. It speaks of the increasing cruelty of the demon king Maheswara

against the gods. Unable to tolerate his tyranny the gods plead with Vishnu to annihilate the

demon. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Shiva) come together to create a powerful

female from with ten arms - Goddesss Durga or ‘Mahamaya’, the Mother of the Universe who

embodies the primeval source of all power.

The gods then bestow upon this Supreme creation their individual blessings and weapons.

Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion to battle with Mahisasra. After a fierce combat

the ‘Durgatinashini’ is able to slay the ‘Asura’ king with her trident. Heaven and earth rejoice

at her victory. Finally, the mantra narration ends with the refrain of mankind’s supplication

before this Supreme Power:

“Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai

namo namaha.”

This day bears immense significance for the Bengalis. It is according to the myths that Sree Rama

hastily performed Durga Puja just before he set for Lanka to rescue Sita from Ravana. According

to Puranas, King Suratha, used to worship the goddess Durga in spring. Thus Durga Puja was also

known as Basanti Puja. But Rama brought the Puja forward and worshiped Durga in autumn

and that is why it is known as ‘Akal Bodhon’ or untimely worship. It was considered untimely

as it is in the myths that puja was performed when the Gods and Goddesses were awake i.e.

“Uttarayan” and was not held when the Gods and Goddesses rested i.e. “Dakshinayan”. It was

on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of “devipoksha”, the Gods and Goddesses woke up to

prepare themselves for Durga Puja.

Autumn in its bloom, mingled with the festive spirit of Durga Puja reaches its pitch on the day

of Mahalaya. From this day starts ‘Devipaksha’ and marks the end of ‘Pitri-paksha’. It is the

day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, clad in dhotis to offer prayers to their dead

relatives and forefathers. People in the pre-dawn hours pray for their demised relatives and take

holy dips in the Ganges. This ritual is known as ‘Tarpon’.

24

With Compliments

Mrs S Agrawalla & Family

GLASGOWTeLephOne: 0141 357 3017

FAx: 0141 337 1619

25

The Rt Hon The Lord Provost of GlasgowCouncillor Bob Winter

Glasgow City Council, City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DUTelephone: 0141 287 4001 / 4201 Facsimile: 0141 287 0127 / 4747

I am honoured and pleased to offer my best wishes once again on behalf of the City of Glasgow to all involved in the Durga Puja 2010, as you celebrate 30 years of festivals.

Last year was able to describe in my message to you the honour Glasgow will enjoy in hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and how this will make us more even aware of the City’s great affinity with and contacts to the Commonwealth’s great family of nations all over the world, of course including India. In 2010, the Games will of course be held in Delhi, which I will have the honour of attending as Glasgow takes on the mantle of host city.

The people of the Indian subcontinent have had such a rich influence on the life and culture of Glas-gow, of which the Durga Puja is a vibrant and spectacular manifestation. At the same time it is a deeply religious occasion for Hindu individuals and communities, and as such it is an opportunity for others to gain a deeper insight into the principles and beliefs of the Hindu religion.

I am certain that this year’s Festival will once more be a great success, and that this will be due, as ever, to the hard work put in by a large number of people on your Committee and its sub-committees: their contributions will again ensure that the Durga Puja will be one of which the Hindu community and Glasgow will be proud.

Congratulations once again on your 30th anniversary.

With best wishes,

Councillor Bob WinterRT Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow

26

Seven Days Buffet for Sit In

KabanaRESTAuRAnT

Open Seven Days 11.30am to 12pm64 Seaward Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow G41 1HJ

Tel: 0141 420 3233 & 0141 420 3133www.kabanarestaurantglasgow.co.uk

HOME DElIvERy AvAIlABlE 7 DAySTraditionally cooked meals - guaranteed All our meals are freshly cooked to order.

Please allow 30-40 minutes for cooking and delivery of your order.

Function suite for 300 people available.

27

It is a great privilege to offer the Scottish Government’s best wishes for this the 30th Annual Durga Puja celebration in Glasgow. The festival marks a time for reflection as well as an opportunity to reaffirm the values of your faith, and it is also an appropriate time for us to reflect on, and welcome, the contribution that the Hindu Community makes to enriching the life of Scotland. Strengthening the links between our nationalities and faiths helps to make Scotland a modern, vibrant, diverse and multi-cultural society. I extend my very best wishes for successful and enjoyable festival to all who have been involved in organising it as well as all those who are participating in this important festival.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing

Nicola Sturgeon MSPDeputy First Minister of Scotland

28

HINDUISM IN INDIATarapada Sain

Origin Of Hindu:-

In the colonial period, Western scholars were led to believe that Persians had derived the word Hindu from the river Sindhu. However, this was not true. The word Hindu originated from Indu, which is a juice prepared from the Soma creeper. Indu was offered to God in Vedic worships and this juice symbolised health, life, prosperity and offspring. People who drank this juice after Vedic worship were named Hindu.

Hindu Caste System:-

Hindu Caste System was primarily by a person’s vocation and is not hereditary, as some people believe. During the early years of Vedic period the Hindus lived in a clan known as Visha. They were collectively known as Vaishya, irrespective of their vocations. To meet the needs of the society, the Vaishyas would select the Brahmins on the basis of skills in oratory, knowledge on Vedas, and having qualities like truthfulness and unselfishness etc. Similarly to administer the Kshatar, which is tribal area or domain of Visha, the Vaishyas would select the Kshatriya who have administrative power and qualities of leadership. They also included people from other tribes, immigrants and children born out of inter-tribal union, known as Sudras. Sudras being new in to the tribe or Visha, encounter unfamiliar customs, rules and regulations of Visha, so they have limited vocational options. But over the time, they surpassed the tribal and social barriers to assimilate in to society and pursue any profession. This shows that Vaishya has welcomed people outside their Visha (world) or tribe and there were no barriers to join the Visha or Hindu society.

Hindu Civilisation:-

Recent archaeological evidence from new excavation has shown that Indus Valley Civilisation is of Vedic Hindu civilisation on the banks of The Rig Veda river Saraswati, and its language is Sanskrit. The Harappan sites were along the banks of the river Swaraswati in the Thar Desart area and on the east side of river Indus. Today many Indian and Western scholars are proposing that the Harappan or Indus Valley civilisation should be renamed as “Swaraswati civilisation” or at least “Indus-Swarasati civilisation.”

Hindu Religion:-

The Hindus in India used to live by the religious guidance of the scriptures - The Rig Veda that was composed well before 6,500 B.C and is thought to have existed before 10,000 B.C.

Hindu Philosophy Of God:-

God is One: Brahma or Iswara or Brahman (not the Brahmin caste). When He as Atman enters the body or as a spirit unites with nature, life begins, and He is called Brahma. As long as He stays in the body, the life continues, and He is seen as preserving life and is called Vishnu. Once He leaves the body, life ends or expires; and His departure is seen as if He has worked as Maheswara or Rudra in bringing the end of life. But, throughout, He remains One: Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara or Rudra are only His aspects of creation, preservation and termination.

29

North – South Division:-

There is no evidence that either Aryan or Dravidian as a racial term, has ever been used in the Hindu scriptures, The Rig Veda. The term Arya means noble or spiritual, and has been used in scriptures. It was the idea of the foreign rulers that India is a land of two races – the lighter – skinned Aryans lived in northern part and the darker – skinned Dravidians in southern part. But the long and cruel Islamic assault on India and on her Vedic culture through the northern side south became the land to protect, preserve and rear the Vedic Hindu culture. It is ironic that the south being the best safe keeper of Hindu culture did not get the credit from the northern part but branded as non-Aryan by them.

No Bar To Join Hindus:-

Race was never a bar for anyone joining the Aryas or the noble people so as the Hindus.

Quotation:- Letter to Swami Brahmananda from London

“It’s a custom that one day or other people will ask for an account when they give the money. If the Account is not ready in every step then it’s a very unreasonable and most improper act.”

Vivekananda, 10/08/1898

Staff and management of Globrin UK Ltd. and Global Technologies International Ltd.

congratulate the Glasgow Durga Puja Committee on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja celebrations for 2010.

We wish the Indian community all the very best for the festive season.

UK office: George House, George Square, Glasgow G1 2AD

India office: 701, Signature Towers, Tower A, Gurgaon 122 001, Haryana

www.globrin.com

�0

�1

Thirty Years On

Anyone looking inside this brochure will probably already know that this year, 2010, marks the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of Durga Puja as an annual festival of the Bengali Hindu community in Scotland. Among the many hundreds of worshippers and visitors in today’s spa-cious hall, it’s hard to envisage what a leap of faith it was for the organisers at the beginning to take the first step and thanks are due from all of us to the community leaders of that time, principally Dr Pulak Mukherjee, Nihar Banerjee and others . . . that they summoned up the necessary courage and effort to put it together. The Puja has had several venues since 1981. Washington Street Arts Centre and Adelphi Secondary School in the early years, then Bellahouston Palace of Art and Namdev Community Centre and finally the Couper Institute, where we hope it will stay. The length of the festival and the time of year presented practical problems: five days when other activities are in full swing is quite a lot to ask of any venue. The storage of the sacred images between Pujas had also to be addressed. Fortu-nately, the Head Teacher of Woodside School was able to find space for them.The growing attendance at the Puja has been a clear sign of the growing confidence of the Bengali community in Glasgow. Just as significant, however, is the increasing interest of the wider commu-nity in the festival as part of our awareness of the cultural diversity in which we live and a willing-ness to share it and rejoice in it. The success of the Glasgow Mela, founded by many of the people who established the Durga Puja, is testimony to the way in which Asian culture is now loved and appreciated across our communities.It was a source of pride to me during my service as Councillor in Glasgow that I represented the Hindu Mandir, two Gurdwaras and two Mosques. I was a regular visitor at all of them and was always welcomed with great friendliness and hospitality. My annual pilgrimage to Durga Puja was likewise an event to which I always looked forward with pleasure. So did others from the wider community. Senior Police officers and politicians are always to be met here. Since it has been my privilege to visit India on several occasions, I lose no opportunity to urge such Scottish visitors to take any chance that offers to travel in India and see at first hand the homeland of this ancient and colourful festival. It will be, I tell them, an unforgettable experience. After thirty years we can look back with thankfulness to those who have worked to fund-raise and organise each year’s event. We should also look forward. Among our Hindu community we now have an exciting mix of second generation Asian Glaswegians with a steady stream of highly quali-fied migrants, coming from India and elsewhere to study and work. This gives me confidence that the celebration of Durga Puja will continue to enrich the lives of all of us for many generations to come.

Malcolm Green

�2

The Spiritual Significance of Navaratri(From the lectures by Swami Tejomayananda)

Let us first discuss the values of the Indian culture and the subject matter of the Vedas in terms of the Navaratri festival.

Even though Hindus celebrates this festival every year, most have no idea of the significance of Navaratri.

Ratri means ‘night’ and nava means ‘nine’. At Navaratri (nine nights) the Goddess is worshipped in Her various forms as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Though the Goddess is one, She is represented and worshipped in three different aspects. On the first three nights of the festival, Durga is worshipped, Lakshmi is worshipped, and then Saraswathi Devi on the last three nights. The following day, the tenth day of the festival, is called Vijayadasami. Vijaya means ‘victory’, the victory over our own minds that can come only when we have worshipped these three Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

DurgaTo gain noble virtues, all evil tendencies in the mind must be destroyed. Goddess Durga represents the destruction. Durga is durgati harini – meaning She who removes our evil tendencies. This is why She is called Mahishasura Mardini, the destroyer of Mahisha (buffalo) asura (demon). The destroyer of animal tendencies in all of us.

The buffalo stands for tamoguna, the quality of laziness, darkness, ignorance and inertia. We have all these qualities in us. We love to sleep. Although we may have a lot of energy and potential inside us, we prefer to do nothing – just like the buffalo that loves only to lie in pools of water. In the Puranic story, Durga Devi’s killing of this demon is, symbolically, the destruction of the tamoguna within us that is very difficult to destroy. In the Durga Devi Havana (sacrifice) we invoke that divine Power within us to destroy our animalistic tendencies.

LakshmiFor knowledge to dawn within us, we have to prepare our minds. The mind must be pure, concentrated and single-pointed; this purification of the mind is obtained through worship of Lakshmi Devi.

In our society today, however, when we think of Lakshmi, we think only of money and gold! This is why if one goes to a Lakshmi temple one will find a crowd. Everybody likes Lakshmi Puja (worship) because they think She represents material wealth. But what is real wealth? Even if we have material wealth but have no self-discipline or self-control, nor the values of love, kindness, respect, and sincerity, all our material wealth will be lost or destroyed. The real wealth is the inner wealth of spiral values that we practise in our lives, by which our minds become purified. Only when we have these noble values will we be able to preserve our material wealth and make good use of it. Otherwise, money itself becomes a problem.

In the Upanishads, the rishis (sages) never asked for material wealth only. In the mantras of the Taittiriya Upanishad, they first asked to have all the noble virtues fully developed in them. ‘Having gained the nobles virtues, thereafter Lord please bring wealth to us’. The rishis express here that in the absence of right values and good qualities, all our money will be wasted. We know this is true because, for example, if we give money to a drug addict or an alcoholic, he will drink of smoke it away in no time.

Our wealth of virtues is our true Lakshmi. Its importance is shown by the fact that Adi Shankaracharya himself, in Vivekachudamani describes the sat sampathi, or six forms of wealth (calmness of mind, self-control, self-withdrawal, forbearance, faith and single-pointed ness) that are to be cultivated to attain wisdom. These virtues are important because our goal is victory over the mind – a victory such that every change that takes place in our lives does not disturb us. This victory comes only when the mind is prepared, and this mental preparation is the symbolism of the Lakshmi Puja.

��

SaraswathiVictory over the mind can be gained only through knowledge, through understanding, and it is Goddess Saraswathi who represents this highest knowledge of the Self.

Although thee are many kinds of knowledge in the Vedas – phonetics, astronomy archery, architecture, economics and so on – the real knowledge is spiritual knowledge. Lord Krishna Himself says in the Bhagavad Gita: ‘The knowledge of the Self is the knowledge’; and He adds, ‘it is My vibhuti, My glory’. In other words, we may have knowledge of many other subjects and sciences, but if we do not know our own Self, then that is the greatest loss. Therefore, the supreme Knowledge is the knowledge of the Self that is represented by Goddess Saraswathi.

Thus, at Navaratri, Goddess Durga is invoked first to remove impurities from the mind. Then Goddess Lakshmi is invoked to cultivate the noble values and qualities. Finally, Goddess Saraswathi is invoked for gaining the highest knowledge of the Self. This is the significance of the three set of three nights, and when all these three are gained subjectively, then there will be Vijayadasami – the day of true victory !

Why is the Navaratri festival celebrated at night rather than in the daytime? This is another interesting question. Night-time is generally the time when we go to sleep, so the spiritual message of night-time worship is: ‘You have lived long enough in the sleepy ignorance of tamoguna. It is time to get up now. Please wake up!’

The importance of RitualNot everyone, it is true, will be of the intellectual type to appreciate everything philosophically. Therefore, philosophy or spiritual truth must be demonstrated visually in some ritualistic form. In this way, when children are first introduced to it, they enjoy a dance or a festival, and then later on begin to question, ‘what is this dance? Why are we doing this Puja? What is the meaning of Navaratri?’ So the purpose of the concretised ritual is fulfilled when these questions begin to arise in the minds of our children.

Unfortunately, when we take our children to functions at the temples and they begin to ask questions about what they see, we cannot answer them. Yet when the children revolt later as teenagers, we say, ‘what happened to the children? These kids are terrible. We never used to question our religion!’

We take pride in the fact that we never used to question anything, but it would have been better if we had asked questions and found out. Why did we not ask? Because of intellectual inertia. Inertia is of different kinds. Physical inertia is not as bad because it is usually temporary. There are also mental or emotional stupors that some people remain in, but the intellectual inertia is the worst kind because under its influence, we do not want to think at all. It is said that people can live without air for two minutes, without water for a few days, without food for a month or so, and without thinking for generations! Some people just do not want to think. This is our inner Mahisha that needs to be destroyed.

As we can see, the theme of the entire Vedas is reflected in the Navaratri festival. Purify the mind and remove all negativities; cultivate positive virtues; gain spiritual knowledge and transcend limitations. This is the real victory – the dance of joy, the dance of realisation – Raas -, which Sri Krishna and the gopis performed.

Sarva mangala mangalye Shive Sarvartha SadhikeSaranye Thrayambike Gowri Narayani Namo Sthuthe

Sarve janaa Sukhino bhavantu – Sarve janaa Sujano bhavantuOm Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi

�4

HARDWARECuT PRiCE SToRES

362, 384 & 412 Paisley Road West,Glasgow

Stockists ofHouseHold Goods FridGesWallcoverinGs cookersBeddinG vacuumsPaint t.v.’sPlumBinG videosBikes troPHies

Visit our main store and view probablyGlasgow’s largest selection of mobile phone

housings, novelties and accessories.Visit our decorating store to select almost 5000

colours with our new paint mixing machine.Our main store now duplicates most types of

“Transponder” car keys.

Tel: 0141 427 5535 / 0026 / 7377

Restaurant and Take-Away26 Alexander Street, Clydebank

0141 952 6960

Buffet available 7 nights

3 course business lunch / buffet lunchMonday to Friday 12noon - 2.30pm

Saturday 12noon - 4.00pm

DinnerSunday to Thursday 5pm - 11.30pmFriday & Saturday 12noon - Midnight

Sunday only - Child eats FREE when accompanied by an adult

Home delivery service available 7 days - 10% discount on all orders over £17.

Discount available daily from 5pm - 10pm. No Discount on Tea Time Specials.

Sweets & Pan House

171 Albert DrivePolloks Shields

Glasgow G41 2NDTel/Fax: 0141 422 2666

Specialists in Bengali Sweets

With Best Wishes From

Joy’s catering servicesFor small and big party or get together

or even tired from cooking . . .

Our speciality . . .

100% pure vegetarian preparation for Pujas and special occasions

Authentic Indian non vegetarian food for every occasions

Traditional Bengali food

andMouth watering Bengali sweets

Joy’s Tiffin Services . . .*Special deals for students

*Special deals for the elderly Contact me

Phone @ 01416497742Mobile @ 07999127755

Mail me @ Joydeep101@hotmail.comyour Right solution for every occasion . . .

�5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Durga Puja Committee wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to the following for their kind support and varied contributions:

Dr. Durga GhoshDr. Haradhan & Mrs. Shakuntala Datta

Dr Sandip GhoshMr. Biswanath & Mrs. Kalpana SinhaDr. Mihir & Mrs. Aditi PalchaudhuriDr. Satya & Mrs. Uma Chakrabarti

Dr. Siddhartha & Mrs. Swati AdhikariMrs. Swati Adhikari & Dr. Usha Sengupta

Mr. Sarajit & Mrs. Anjana Sen (India)Mrs. Kumkum Huq

Mr. Pradip Chaudhuri (Purohit)Mr. Ashis & Mrs. Asha Mallik

Dr Goutamananda & Mrs Mohua RayStrathclyde Police for assistance during the festival

Education Services, Glasgow City CouncilOlivia Darlington, Sang Min, Dan Bee Choi, and Thomas Brumby (Glasgow School of Art)

Mrs Rajani Tyagi - Radio AwazPartha Ghoshbiswas

Tom McMenemy, Community facility Officer, Glasgow City CouncilAll the Staff at the Couper Institute, Glasgow

Mr. Shoaib Ahmad (Victoria Halls)The management and staff of Printing Glasgow for their

co-operation and assistance in printing this souvenirWe are very grateful to the many businesses and individuals who have helped our event become a success through their gracious sponsorship.

We also wish to thank the many members of our local community - too numerous to name - who have given countless hours of

service in helping to make our Puja a continued success.

The Durga Puja COmmiTTee wishes TO Thanks all Our frienDs whO have helPeD TO make The Puja a suCCess

ThrOugh Their Tireless effOrTs During The lasT ThirTY Years

�6

Greetingsfrom

K.R.K.CASH & CARRY LTD.G L A S G O W

Premier Supplier of Asian and Continental Foods

OPEN 7 DAYS !Halal : Retail : Wholesale

286-288 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6NE SCOTLANDTelephone: +44 (0) 141 339 4822

HALAL MEATS • K.R.K. SHoP • CASH & CARRY

GLASGOW2010

www.durgapujaglasgow.com