Christchurch Durga Puja: Confluence of Cultures

Experience the unique Christchurch Durga Puja, a UNESCO-recognized festival in New Zealand. Celebrate unity, Bengali heritage, and a vibrant fusion of global cultures!

Durga Puja, engraved in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is celebrated by Bengalis across the world showcasing their heritage, culture, food, celebrating the victory of good over evil while deeply acknowledging the power of women.

In this faraway land, a land of the long, white clouds called Aotearoa in Te reo Māori and popularly known as New Zealand, Bengalis in the Garden City of Christchurch celebrated their 10^th Durga Puja festival supported by the Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, Europeans, Sri Lankans, Fiji Indians and host of ethnic Indian communities.

What is so different about Christchurch Durga Puja?

Well, there were several unique features of this event that was held close to the International Hagley Oval cricket ground.

One of the features that is strikingly unique, is the strong connection that the Kiwi-Chinese found between Goddess Durga and their Lion Dance. The Chinese troupe enthralled the 500 plus gathering to their vibrant dance form ending their show by bowing to the Goddess who rides a lion.

Over the years, a Japanese troupe mesmerized the audience with their energy-filled drumming, Taiko, a traditional Japanese form of drumming using large drums. A group of 10-15 players play their big and small drums in synchronised action.

The founders and core members of the Christchurch Bengali Community Incorporated Society, which is registered with the New Zealand government, has a vision – the Hindu global vision of unity in diversity embracing all cultures and providing ethnic communities a platform for expression.

‘Eso hey Arya, eso hey An-arya, Hindu Musalaman

Eso eso aaj tumi engrej, eso eso Christian’

The thoughts of Nobel Laureate encapsulated so well at this Durga Puja’s melting pot of cultures.

The result was overwhelming response from ethnic communities, businesses, political parties and performers. The Durga Puja in this southern-most cosmopolis got bigger and better with every passing year.

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The cultural programme kicked off with ‘Mahisashura Mardini’, a dance drama with participants as young as 9 years and as old as 80 years, pulled this off in an impeccable style reflected reflecting an incredibly amount of effort, talent and artistry.

A group of budding, talented musicians from Burnside High School charmed the audience with two jazz renditions that followed with individual and group performances including lively dances by Mexicans showcasing art, culture and heritage.

Matching the passion and visually artistic expressions of the Mexican and Sri Lankan troupes, Bihu, Bharatnatyam, Marakathamani, Kathakali dancers captivated the audience displaying India’s diverse and rich cultural heritage. The icing on the cake was the last performance – a 10-minute adrenalin filled Bhangra performance that switched the mood with the audience joining in.

Any cultural festival is not complete without food. A sumptuous spread of traditional Bengali Durga Puja cuisine – khichudi, laabdha, alur dam, fritters, chutney, papad, laddu, gulab jamun, payesh and prasad.