About Uttaran

Our first Durga Puja, held in 1998 in Plumpton was celebrated on a small scale and after a great response from the local community and their generous support, we hold the Durga Puja annually and on a larger scale each passing year. In 2004, it was moved to a bigger and more centralised venue to accommodate the ever grown crowd. Last year, the crowd exceeded 2000 people and we were blessed with many generous donations from the local community. Our attendees vary in age from newborns to our respected elders and this provides an opportunity for the younger generation to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of India and our festivals.

We were one of the first Australian Puja Committee to make our own "Protima" (deities), which has been created by Partho Das with the assistance of many hard working committee members. Each year the committee is enthusiastic and passionate about enhancing all the costumes and ornaments to ensure all the idols are well presented in a magnificent display for all to admire.

The Puja commences at 9am and we provide all meals free of charge to all attendees throughout the day. The Prasad distribution is followed by a delicious lunch and a hearty dinner is also provided in the evening. Donations are accepted throughout the day and the generous support of the community allows us to make charitable donations to help those less fortunate and continue holding our Puja each year. In recent years we have provided financial assistance to a poor family in Kolkata for their child's heart surgery and to children's orphanages in India.

Activities throughout the day include a drawing competition for the young children and an evening entertainment program of Bengali, Bollywood and contemporary Singing, Instrumental and Dancing performances. The performers include young children and adults in a show that appeals to all ages and it is a highlight of the Bengali social calendar each year.

The Western Sydney Uttaran Durga Puja has been promoted worldwide and has received extensive news coverage over the years in print and electronic media. A documentary was made in 2007 and shown on a Community TV channel highlighting the Puja activities through the day and included interviews with committee members. News articles were published in newspapers worldwide and the Puja has been recognised by the Worldwide Puja Competition through www.kolkatamirror.com and other similar competitions.

With the Goddess's blessing we hope to continue indefinitely in the future. This year, the Durga Puja continues without any break, as part of an unbroken chain.

The Making of Durga

All the idols were carved from balsa wood. The Durga is 3 metre tall.

For photos see here.