The year 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter—the birth of the North East Ohio Bengali Association (NEOBA)—a dream nurtured by a few passionate hearts determined to celebrate culture, tradition, and unity. With boundless enthusiasm and unwavering determination, our founding members set their sights on hosting the grand Durga Puja in our very first year.
The decision was bold, ambitious, and filled with challenges, yet it sparked an unstoppable wave of excitement. Fortunately, destiny smiled upon us—we had 10 precious months to turn this dream into reality. But what’s a Durga Puja without the soulful beats of the dhak or the sanctity of traditional puja samagri straight from Bengal?.
Luck favored us again, as a couple of families were scheduled to visit Kolkata during the holiday season. They were entrusted with the sacred task of selecting the idol and procuring puja essentials from a Dasakarma Bhandar—a task they carried out with the utmost devotion.
But the journey didn’t end there. To complete the authentic Durga Puja experience, we needed the rhythmic heartbeat of the festival—the dhak. That’s when Ananya stepped forward, traveling all the way to Bangaon during the off-season to get the dhak specially made for us. It wasn’t easy—he waited for hours, ensuring the instrument was crafted to perfection, wrapped in beautiful purple cloth, and customized just for NEOBA.
This wasn’t just an act of preparation; it was a labor of love and a testament to dedication—a reminder that dreams come true when fueled by passion and purpose.
As we stood before the idol on the day of the Puja, the echoes of the dhak, the fragrance of incense, and the warmth of our collective spirit reminded us that NEOBA was more than just an organization—it was a family, a legacy, and a celebration of culture reborn.
পুজোর ঢাকে পড়লো কাঠি,
পুজো এবার জমজমাটি।
আলো ঝলমল মণ্ডপ সেজে,
সুরে সুরে বাজে বাঁশির বাটি।
ধূপের গন্ধে ভরে চারদিক,
আরতির সুরে মন মেতে ওঠে।
সিঁদুর খেলায় রঙিন প্রহর,
আনন্দে হাসে সবার চোখে।
ঢাকের তালে নাচে মন,
শঙ্খ ধ্বনিতে বাজে রাগিণী।
মা এসেছে সংসারে আবার,
আশীর্বাদে ভরে জীবনী।
প্রণামেতে ভরে উঠুক মন্দির,
শক্তির পূজায় মিলুক আশ্বাস।
পুজোর ঢাকে পড়লো কাঠি,
জমজমাট হোক এ উৎসব আজ।
