Bengalee Association Pune Celebrates 45th Durga Puja In Baner With Dhunuchi Dance, Sindur Khela, Bhog For Social Cause, And Zero-Waste Pandal

Pune, September 27, 2025: For Bengalis, festivals are woven into the fabric of life, and among them, Durga Puja holds a special place as the most awaited celebration of the year. This year, the Bengalee Association Pune (BAP) is set to host its 45th annual Durga Puja from September 28 to October 2, 2025, at Mauli Gardens, Baner, promising a vibrant blend of devotion, culture, and community togetherness.

Founded on 1st Baishakh, 1981, BAP has consistently upheld the spirit of Bengali traditions. The hallmark of their Durga Puja is the pangat-style Bhog service, where devotees share sacred food offerings, reflecting the age-old Bengali custom of communal dining in devotion.

The festivities will feature several cultural and traditional highlights:

• Dhunuchi Dance: Devotees perform this energetic folk dance using earthen incense burners (dhunuchi) to the rhythmic beats of the dhak, symbolizing devotion and spiritual transformation.
• Sindur Khela: Married women joyously apply vermillion to one another on Vijaya Dashami, celebrating womanhood, togetherness, and marital blessings.
• Durga Puja Bhog Prasad: Devotees will partake in traditional offerings such as khichuri, vegetables, sweets, and fritters, sanctified by the goddess.

Cultural evenings will complement the devotional rituals, featuring performances by BAP members, Shantanu Sudame & Orchestra Group, and Melody Makers, while food stalls, a mehendi corner, caricature artists, and family-friendly activities promise to make the celebration engaging for all ages.

Timings for Bhog Prasad:

• Saptami (29th Sept): 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Ashtami (30th Sept): 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Navami (1st Oct): 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The BAP warmly invites Pune residents and devotees to join in this grand celebration, seeking the blessings of Maa Durga and partaking in a joyous festival of devotion, culture, and community bonding.

Highlights of This Year’s Puja

• Zero-Waste Pandal
In their commitment to environmental sustainability, they are striving for a Zero-Waste Pandal. All waste generated during the five days will be responsibly collected and sent for recycling in partnership with reputed agencies.

• Bhog for a Social Cause: Extending the joy of Puja beyond the pandal, the pandal will be distributing packed Bhog to the underprivileged in collaboration with Antarnad Social Foundation.

• Online Bhog Service: The maiden effort last year to deliver Puja Bhog — especially to senior citizens and those unable to attend the pandal — was a heartwarming success. This year, we are expanding the initiative further. 

Service Dates: 29th September, 30th September & 1st October and Delivery Partner: Xirify

Subrata Chatterjee – President, BAP and Anupam Mitra – General Secretary, BAP shared the details with Pune Pulse.