© Charlie Stone
Itzig’s community hall came alive on Tuesday as locals and visitors gathered to mark the seventh annual Durga Puja, a festival celebrating devotion, culture, and the triumph of good over evil.
The 7th edition of the Durga Puja celebrations in Itzig took place on Tuesday, drawing the local Indian community and curious visitors to a day filled with prayer, culture, and festive spirit. Durga Puja, one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, honours Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura – symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
To organiser and president Tapas Rajderkar it is much more: "It is the season when we reconnect with our roots, celebrate our culture, and pass on traditions to the next generation with pride. Maa Durga’s arrival reminds us that no matter how big the challenges may be, goodness and courage will always prevail. She inspires us to stand united, to care for one another, and to face life with strength and compassion."
The evening started with traditional dances and prayers accompanied by Indian drums, then led to more cultural performances including singing, short films, and even a fashion show. The colours on display through the women’s saris and men’s kurtas were beautiful to see, accompanied by the vibrant decoration that meant the otherwise mundane hall was brought to life.
One of the highlights included a children’s choir, where they sang their hearts out, with one child even bold enough to perform an Indian karaoke song. Moreover, individual and group dances took place throughout the evening to traditional Indian music.
© Charlie Stone
Preeyantee Ghosh who aided in the decoration and dance choreography alluded to the sheer size of India and how the art at the event tried to blend the different cultures from many of the states. "We not only wanted to just depict the different art forms from India but we also want to pay tribute to the different traditions that exist in our country. The festival is a fantastic way of, apart from worship, of celebrating the diverse traditions of India."
The food on offer was sensational, a whole host of Indian restaurants had partnered with the ASBL Luxembourg Durgotsav Association and provided three separate cooking stations that made fresh meals. All proceeds from the event went to the ASBL.
The five-day festival concludes on Wednesday, but over the weekend alone it welcomed more than 800 eager visitors, a turnout that kept the volunteer organisers at Itzig’s 'Sall am Duerf' busy with careful crowd management.
Though Durga Puja is celebrated on a grand scale in cities like Kolkata, London, and New York, the Itzig edition displayed the dedication of a small team of volunteers who brought the festival to life far from home. From creating intricate decorations to coordinating performances and meals, their efforts turned the event into a vibrant cultural gathering and a celebration of how traditions can connect communities across the world.
Watch some impressions from the celebration here:
