LONDON, Nov 1: The British Bengali community celebrated the fifth annual Durga Parade on the River Thames in London, bringing together hundreds of participants for a vibrant display of Bengali culture, music and tradition.
Organised by Heritage Bengal Global (HBG), a not for profit organisation representing the British Bengali diaspora, the event took place on Saturday with traditional dhak performances, dancing and musical celebrations. The procession featured an idol of Goddess Durga, crafted by students of Techno India University in Kolkata.
The boat carrying the idol sailed past some of London’s most recognisable landmarks, including Big Ben, the Tower of London and the London Eye. Bihar Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta was among the distinguished guests attending the festivities.
Extending his greetings to the participants, Gupta said, “My best wishes to all British Indians participating in this blessed event.”
He also invited Indians living in the United Kingdom and international visitors to explore Bihar, highlighting the development witnessed by the state in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Launched in 2022, the Thames Durga Parade is part of HBG’s broader initiative to establish an international platform connecting Durga Puja celebrations across continents.
The initiative gained significance following UNESCO’s recognition of Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.
HBG Director Anirban Mukhopadhyay said the organisation aims to promote Kolkata and its celebrated festival as major international tourism attractions.
“Our vision is to put Kolkata and Durga Puja on the global tourism map, converting the UNESCO intangible tag of Durga Puja to something more tangible to realise its full potential,” he said.
Expressing pride over the successful continuation of the annual event, Mukhopadhyay said celebrating the festival for the fifth consecutive year against the backdrop of London’s iconic landmarks was a matter of immense joy.
The celebrations also featured musical performances by members of the British Bengali community. Among the performers were Krishnendu and his daughter Gungun, a father-daughter duo who have gained attention through a viral social media trend.
Traditional dance performances and cultural presentations added to the festive atmosphere, highlighting the community’s efforts to preserve Bengali heritage and share its traditions with a global audience.