For three days, October 16–18, 2026, Mountain View High School became a home away from home for Atlanta’s Bengali community. Families and friends gathered for BAGA’s 47th annual Durga Puja, sharing traditional food, watching cultural performances and welcoming Maa Durga.
What began with a few families has grown into what BAGA describes as the largest Durga Puja celebration in the southeastern United States. The annual gathering brings community members together to celebrate Bengali heritage, renew friendships and share the festival across generations. For many, the weekend is also a chance to reconnect with people they may not see regularly and to introduce younger family members to customs they grew up with.
A New Welcome for Maa Durga
A central feature of this year’s Puja was a new set of custom-designed fiberglass Durga idols from Kumartuli, West Bengal. BAGA welcomed new idols for the first time in 14 years, marking a milestone for the organization and an occasion of particular meaning for the community that gathers around them each year.
The idols were set against a decorative backdrop inspired by the Ajanta and Ellora caves. BAGA’s decoration team conceived and created the setting in-house, drawing on the community’s own artistic skills.
Traditional Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Naach brought participants together in familiar expressions of celebration and devotion. For some, the customs recalled Puja in Bengal; younger attendees had the opportunity to take part in traditions that connect their families to the region.
A Stage That Brought Generations Together
The cultural program combined traditional and contemporary performances. Guest artists from India included Anirban Bhattacharya and his band Hooliganism; Sounak Chattopadhyay and Shreyasi Bhattacharjee; and Bollywood playback singer Jolly Mukherjee with Priyanka Mitra.
Local children and BAGA members also performed. Audience members enjoyed the visiting artists and cheered for their own children, friends, neighbors and fellow community members.
Senior citizens performed at BAGA’s Durga Puja for the first time. Their participation reflected this year’s theme, “Bridging Generations, Building Bonds,” with children, youth, adults and seniors all taking part in the program.
Participation in the programs has grown over the years, with community members contributing both as audience members and performers.
Celebrating Bengal’s Literary Spirit
BAGA released Protichi, its annual literary magazine, during the Puja, adding a literary element to the music and performances.
Bengali books released during the Puja season were also available for purchase. Attendees could take home Bengali-language literature alongside their memories of the celebration.
Familiar Flavors and the Joy of Giving
Traditional Bengali dishes were served throughout the celebration. The shared meals gave family and friends time to catch up, exchange stories and sit together between performances and activities.
The BAGA Youth Committee ran a volunteer-staffed food stall featuring street foods and sweets. Proceeds will be donated to charity.
Kishalay, the Bengali school, organized movie screenings and arts-and-crafts activities for children. These activities gave younger attendees their own ways to join in while families took part in the wider celebration.
Hospitality at the Heart of the Celebration
Volunteers served food at the table for senior citizens and helped support attendees’ comfort and participation.
The Executive Team and volunteers spent several months preparing for the celebration. With participation in performances and activities growing over the years, coordination involved decorations, cultural programming, food service and children’s activities.
Until We Welcome Her Again
For many in Atlanta’s Bengali community, Durga Puja is an annual occasion to meet familiar faces, make new friendships, wear new clothes and sarees, and look forward to performances and other activities.
The gathering connected people who grew up celebrating Puja in Bengal with younger generations experiencing the festival in the United States. For some, it brought back memories of Kolkata; for others, it was a chance to take part in the traditions with family and community in Atlanta.
As the festivities ended, attendees shared the familiar Bengali phrase, “Asche bochor abar hobe”—we will celebrate again next year.
The closing wish was that Maa Durga would bring happiness and joy to every home until the community gathers again next year.