PARIS, FRANCE, October 23, 2001: The most important religious event for Bengali Hindus, Durga Puja, is underway here with traditional fervor and gaiety. The Puja is being hosted at the Maison de l’Inde in southern Paris. The four-day event has been organized by a leading Bengali organization, Sammilani, and starts every morning with regular prayers. The festival, also known as the Autumn Festival, began Monday evening with the “Bodhon,” or “Pran Pratishtha,” prayer that signifies life in the statue of Durga, marking the beginning of the festivities. Nearly 50 Bengali families from Paris and its suburbs attended the opening. The director of Maison de l’Inde, Bikas Sanyal, says this year the Durga Puja has a very special meaning due to the events that are currently taking place around the world. “Durga herself was created to fight and drive away the demons who conquered the gods and occupied the heaven. Today, we need another Durga to fight the demon of terrorism,” says Sanyal.
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