A group of Chinese citizens, including the Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Kolkata, Quin Yong, visited Hooghly’s Bhuipara Barwari Puja on Sunday (Shasthi), immersing themselves in the rural rhythms of Durga Puja in West Bengal.
The delegation was welcomed with customary Bengali warmth— children showered them with flowers and drops of sandalwood on the visitors’ forehead. Once inside the puja pavilion, the visitors did not remain mere spectators. They thumped the dhak (drum), made alpana (handiwork on the floor) and even rolled up their sleeves to prepare nadu (sweet) alongside local village girls.
An aarti (prayer) to Goddess Durga completed their participation, while small children presented handmade clay idols and hand-painted pictures as tokens of cross-cultural camaraderie.
Deputy Consul General Yong reflected on the experience with palpable delight. “I liked the atmosphere here, the rituals of the puja, the love of the people. I enjoyed it very much. I came to know that nadu is a special dish for Bengalis during Durga Puja. I feel very happy to be able to prepare it. This is the first time I have come to a village’s Durga Puja. This experience will be memorable for me,” he said, with enthusiasm resonating across the pavilion.
Residents of Bhuipara expressed delight at seeing foreign citizens’ presence at their village. “For us, the presence of international guests has amplified the festive spirit,” said villager Ratan Dutta.
What started as a simple visit transformed into an intercultural celebration — a fusion of tradition, curiosity, and shared joy — making this Shashti a day to remember both for the villagers of Bhuipara and their faraway guests.
Also read: Kolkata reels under twin electrocution tragedies amid Puja preps
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