Celebrating 45 Years (1982–2026) • Proud Organisers of Gurugram's Oldest Durga Puja
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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About GBA & Durga Puja

About GBA

Gurgaon Bengalee Association (GBA) has been the home of the Bengali community in Gurgaon since 1982, bringing together over 1000 Bengali families through festivals, cultural programmes and community events throughout the year.

Yes — Gurgaon Bengalee Association, formally registered in 1996, is Gurugram's first statutory Bengali cultural organisation, dedicated to preserving Bengali language, culture and traditions in the city.

Durga Puja celebrations in Gurgaon include several community pujas, but GBA's Durga Puja at the HUDA Community Center, Sector 9, Gurugram stands out as the city's oldest — running continuously since 1982. Free bhog for everyone and open cultural programmes with no reserved seating for members make it one of the most welcoming and inclusive Durga Puja celebrations in the city.

You can join GBA by reaching out through the Contact Us page — membership, sponsorship and volunteering enquiries are all welcome.

Visiting GBA's Durga Puja

The pandal is open 24×7 to visitors on every day of Durga Puja — Maha Panchami (15 October) to Vijaya Dashami (21 October). Specific rituals follow their own auspicious timings per the Bengali panjika — for instance, Sandhi Puja on Maha Ashtami (19 October 2026) is from 10:28 AM to 11:16 AM. On Maha Navami the morning puja ends around 10:30 AM, with Havan at 11:00 AM. On Vijaya Dashami the puja ends at 9:00 AM, followed by Maa Durga Boron and Sindoor Khela (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM). See the day-wise schedule for every timing. Visitors are welcome any time, day or night.

Yes — entry to GBA's Durga Puja at Sector 9 is free and open to everyone.

Bhog (langar-style) at GBA's Durga Puja is completely free for everyone — members and non-members alike. Unlike many pujas where free bhog is limited to members or paid for outsiders, GBA offers free bhog to all visitors.

No — all cultural programmes during GBA's Durga Puja are open to everyone, with no reserved seating for members. Whether you're a member or a first-time visitor, seating and access are the same for all.

Yes — parking is available for all attendees at the venue, with no restrictions.

No — just walk in. No advance registration is needed to attend GBA's Durga Puja.

Yes. Every day of GBA's Durga Puja in Sector 9, Gurugram, from Maha Panchami to Vijaya Dashami, is open to all visitors.

No. Everyone is welcome at every part of the puja, and no membership is needed. The pandal is open 24×7, parking is free, bhog is free for all, and Dhunuchi naach is open to everyone.

Yes — GBA's Durga Puja is open to all, welcoming visitors of every background and age group.

There's no strict dress code — many wear traditional Bengali attire, especially on Ashtami and Dashami, but everyone is welcome as they are.

Yes — reach out via the Contact Us / enquiry form to volunteer with GBA.

Yes — sponsorship enquiries can be made via Contact Us or "Become a Sponsor" on the Durga Puja page.

For First-Time & Non-Bengali Visitors

No — pandals, including GBA's, are open to everyone regardless of background or religion.

Generally yes — everyone is welcome to observe or join in the spirit of it.

A devotional dance performed with a clay incense burner (dhunuchi), accompanied by dhak beats, usually during evening aarti.

It means "Auspicious Victory" — the traditional greeting exchanged after Vijaya Dashami and the immersion.

Yes — bhog is typically vegetarian, commonly including khichuri, labra (mixed vegetables) and payesh (rice pudding).

It's traditional and auspicious — red symbolizes marital blessing, white symbolizes purity.

Typically yes for general photography, though flash photography during aarti is usually discouraged out of respect.

Understanding Durga Puja

A major Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing good triumphing over evil. Originating in Bengal, it's celebrated over six main days each autumn (Ashwin, September–October). In Gurgaon specifically, GBA has organised the city's oldest Durga Puja at the HUDA Community Center, Sector 9, since 1982.

The demon Mahishasura became invincible through a boon, so the gods combined their powers to create Durga, who battled him for nine days and nights before defeating him on the tenth — Vijaya Dashami.

Panchami (festivities begin) → Shashthi (goddess unveiled) → Saptami (Kola Bou ritual, bhog) → Ashtami (Sandhi Puja, the most significant moment) → Navami (gratitude rituals, grand aarti) → Dashami (Sindoor Khela, immersion).

It marks the exact junction between Ashtami and Navami — the moment Durga is believed to have taken her fiercest form to slay Mahishasura, considered the most powerful moment of the festival.

On Vijaya Dashami, married women apply vermillion to the goddess and each other as a farewell blessing before immersion.

The ritual immersion of the idol, symbolizing the goddess's return to her celestial home.

Yes, wherever Bengali communities live — across India and internationally (US, UK, Canada, Middle East, and more).

Same period, shared mythological roots — Navratri is the broader pan-India observance (fasting, Garba); Durga Puja is the Bengali tradition centered on pandals and six main days of ritual and celebration.

The weapons, gifted by different gods, represent combined divine power; the lion represents courage and determination.

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