PNBCA’s Durga Puja at its new Civil Lines venue brings the community together for the traditional farewell to Maa Durga
Nagpur: The Paschim Nagariya Bengali Cultural Association (PNBCA) celebrated the spirit of Bengali culture and togetherness during Durga Puja 2026 at its new venue, Rani Kothi, Civil Lines, Nagpur. The celebrations culminated in the traditional Sindoor Khela ritual, in which married women apply vermilion to Goddess Durga and one another as they bid farewell to Maa Durga on Vijayadashami.
Sindoor Khela is one of the most cherished traditions of Bengali Durga Puja. Women offer sindoor to the Goddess before exchanging vermilion with fellow devotees, symbolising prayers for happiness, prosperity and marital well-being. The ritual also reflects the bonds of sisterhood and community that lie at the heart of the celebrations.
PNBCA Begins a New Chapter at Rani Kothi
PNBCA Begins a New Chapter at Rani KothiThe 2026 celebrations mark a new chapter in PNBCA’s journey, which began in 2014 with the vision of celebrating Durga Puja with an open heart and welcoming people from all sections of society.
The association initially celebrated the festival at IWWA, Nagpur, from 2014 to 2016 before moving to Bharat Lawns for the 2017–2019 celebrations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PNBCA continued its religious observances through Ghat Puja in 2020 and a members-only Puja in 2021.
From 2022 to 2025, the association organised Durga Puja at Ladies Club Lawns in Civil Lines. This year, it moved to Rani Kothi, Civil Lines, with the aim of providing a more spacious and hygienic venue, improved cooking facilities for Maa Durga’s Bhog, and better arrangements for religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and community gatherings.
Antarikota at the Heart of the Celebrations
Antarikota at the Heart of the CelebrationsFor PNBCA, Durga Puja is more than a religious festival. The association places Antarikota-a sense of belonging, closeness and togetherness-at the centre of its celebrations.
As the community gathered for Sindoor Khela, the ritual represented the enduring connection between faith, Bengali heritage and collective celebration. Despite changes in venues and the growth of the association over the years, PNBCA’s commitment to welcoming people and preserving cultural traditions remains unchanged.
The celebrations at Rani Kothi mark another milestone for the association as it continues its journey of devotion, cultural expression and community bonding in Nagpur.
