PANVEL: There is a particular kind of longing that comes with living away from home—the longing for familiar traditions, the sound of the dhak in the autumn air, the fragrance of incense, the warmth of familiar faces, and the feeling that, for a few days, life has returned to where the heart belongs.
For the Bengali community at ONGC Township in Panvel, this feeling comes alive every year with the arrival of Maa Durga.
As Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha celebrates the 37th year of its Sharodotsav in 2026, the festival stands as a testament to the enduring power of culture, community and belonging. Founded by Bengali engineers and scientists working with ONGC in Panvel and Navi Mumbai, the Sanstha has kept the traditions of Bengal alive while its members continue to shoulder the demanding responsibilities of offshore oil exploration and production.
Their professional lives may take them far from their ancestral homes, but every year, when Sharodotsav arrives, a little piece of Bengal finds its way to Panvel.
For the community, Durga Puja is much more than five days of rituals and festivities. It is a reunion of hearts, a celebration of shared memories and a reminder of the cultural roots that continue to bind people together, regardless of where life takes them. Each year, the celebration renews a bond with their heritage and passes its warmth to the next generation.
Over the years, this tradition has grown beyond the Bengali community. People from different castes, communities and backgrounds come together to welcome Maa Durga, seek her blessings and share the humble yet deeply cherished khichuri bhog prasad. In that shared meal, there is a beautiful expression of equality and togetherness—where differences fade, friendships grow and the spirit of humanity takes centre stage.
The celebrations are as much about people as they are about devotion. Music and dance fill the atmosphere, while three different dramas staged by members of the Sanstha bring the community’s artistic spirit to life. Every performance reflects the effort, passion and collective enthusiasm of people who come together not simply to organise a festival, but to create memories that will be cherished long after the celebrations end.
The festivities begin with a Seat and Draw Competition, welcoming participants from the wider community. But it is on Bijaya Dashami that the celebration reveals its most tender emotion.
As the beats of the dhak fill the air, the traditional Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Dance bring the festivities to a vibrant close. There is joy in the colours, devotion in the rituals and a quiet sadness in knowing that Maa Durga must now return to her heavenly abode. Families and friends embrace one another, exchange wishes for happiness and prosperity, and carry home the memories of another beautiful year.
Yet, even in the farewell, there is hope. For Bengalis, the words “Asche bochor abar hobe”—may it happen again next year—are far more than a familiar expression. They are a promise to meet again, to renew traditions, to celebrate life and to welcome Maa Durga back with the same devotion and love.
Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Mr Abhinandan Ghosh, President of Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha, says, “Our calendar begins with this year’s Durga Puja and continues until the next year’s Durga Puja. In these five days, we find the meaning of life. On Bijaya Dashami, we embrace everyone and exchange wishes for happiness and well-being. Our eternal desire is ‘Asche bochor abar hobe’. Maa Durga, please come back to us next year.”
His words capture the emotion that makes Sharodotsav so special. The festival may last only a few days, but its warmth stays for months. The memories of laughter, the echoes of the dhak, the shared meals and the final embraces become a source of comfort until the community gathers again.
As Panvel Bengali Sanskritik Sanstha celebrates its 37th year, its journey is a reminder that culture does not survive merely through rituals; it survives through people who care enough to preserve it, families who pass it on, and communities that open their hearts to share it with others.
At ONGC Township, Panvel, Sharodotsav is not simply a celebration of Bengal. It is a celebration of home, even when home is miles away; of unity, even among people from different backgrounds; and of faith that brings everyone together in a common prayer.
And when the last beat of the dhak fades and the lights of the pandal grow dim, one feeling remains in every heart: Maa Durga may have departed, but the promise of her return has already begun.
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