E-news October 15 2020: Q3 Newsletter
Secretary HDBS
Dear Houston Durgabari Patrons,
We continue to live through these unprecedented times, lives boxed in our homes, as the pandemic rages on. Through the third quarter there was a positive trend, but as we write this mail the dreaded second surge seems to be taking a hold. We pray that you remain healthy, continue to practice safe social distancing habits, and enjoy Durgabari virtually. Here is a summary of our third quarter activities.
Houston Durgabari celebrated Janmashthami on Sunday, August 16, 2020. We arranged for a live telecast of the complete puja from our temple interleaved with short cultural programs on our YouTube channel. Normally our community children would engage in decorating for the event. This year, given the circumstances, children and adults participated virtually, presenting Nandalal, an exposition on Lord Krishna. For the first time, we presented a major religious event together with a cultural program on a digital platform. We thank all our volunteers from the Religious, Cultural, and Technology teams, as well as our Puja sponsors and Sankalpa devotees who helped make Janmashtami 2020 a success.
Our 2020 Puja Committee chairs Subhas Das, Aloke Sarkar, and Sandip Bhattacharya hosted this year’s Durga Puja Kick-Off Meeting on Saturday Aug 29. We thank all attendees for helping to make this event successful! This was a first of its kind, our first ever virtual Kick-Off meeting and our first event for this year’s Durga Puja celebrations, in what promises to be a long line up of much anticipated programs. The 20th anniversary of Houston Durgabari’s Puja season had a fantastic start with Mahalaya and Mahishasuramardini. The digital celebration was a huge success with many participating virtually. Traditional Mahalaya songs were rendered flawlessly; stotras reverberated with devotion. Digital team did an impeccable job stitching together an amazing program online. Instead of claps in-person, we heard the virtual cheers on our YouTube channel chat. Though we missed the in-person assembly, this year’s digital show had a bonus – people attended from all over the world and many of Houston community’s family members joined from India. Hats off to the program participants and director, Mita Shome; the show was simply fantastic! Durgabari head priest Buddhadev Bhattachariya conducted the Mahalaya Puja with the same details and ritualistic fervor. Jaideva Goswami chanted the Chandi. People offered virtual Anjali at home following the mantras in the temple. Arati was performed in the temple, watched by so many online. Finally, Puja Committee chairs introduced the overall theme of the Puja and the guidelines. The day ended with a melodious rendition of Agomoni Songs by Madhura Sanyal. It was a fitting finale to a day, marked by devotion, albeit digitally.
Please stay tuned via our digital platforms – our website, Facebook page, and our YouTube channel, where we will bring the complete Durga Puja experience from October 21-25 to the comfort of your own homes.