Durga Festival of Panda House, which is 80 kilometers from Toronto, took place in Barrie, Ontario, for the third year, with the family bringing Maa Durga from Kumortuli, Dhak of Bengal, Sri Sri Chandi Path, Sindoor playing with mother from Bodhan, Sandhya Aarti, Sandhi Puja, Dhunuchi Nach. This puja started in Barrie town carrying the seeds of a long family puja from the town of Kanthi in East Midnapore.
Toronto and Greater Toronto have several Durga Pujas. For example, the Toronto Kalibari, Durgabari, Bangiya Parishad, Banga Parivar, Angami, Vedanta Society and Bharat Sevashram Sangh. However, there is no worship in the 80 kilometers between Barrie and Toronto. Therefore, even though it is a family puja, most of the Bengali families in Bari city are involved in this puja. Many families from Greater Toronto and relatives from North America also come for this puja, staying here for 3-4 days of Durgotsavam. Everyone eats Bhogprasad together. So this unique Durgotsavam of Bari city has become a universal joyous festival of all the Bengali and Indian families in the vicinity.
According to Brihannandikeswara Purana, Shorashopachar Puja is performed according to the Tithi, the householder with training in the priestly course does the Puja. Local MPs, Ontario MPPs (Members of Provincial Parliament), Leaders of Opposition and local officials also come to this puja, enjoying the rituals and aesthetics of the puja. The Ontario government has recognized the festival as a bridge of unity among Canada’s diverse communities with a certificate.
Last year Sri Sri Chandi was recited on record, this time it will be recited by a family member himself. Entrepreneurs are now thinking about doing something big from small domestic events. Before the winter comes and covers this country near the North Pole with a blanket of snow, a piece of Bengal becomes a piece of Bengal decorated with blue sky and white rafts in autumn.
