For the first time, Durga Puja was celebrated at New York’s Times Square, drawing large crowds of Indian-Americans to the event. Viral videos showed a beautiful Durga Puja Pandal in the middle of the famous landmark, with many people enjoying the vibrant festivities. Instagram influencer Ruchika Jain shared a video announcing the start of the Puja, encouraging the Indian-American community to join in.
The two-day celebration, organized by The Bengali Club USA, began with Nabami Puja and Durga Stotras, traditional rituals marking the ninth day of the festival. These were followed by Nabami Puja Anjali, where devotees offered their prayers to Goddess Durga. The event concluded with the Dashami Puja, during which devotees bid farewell to the Goddess.
A key highlight of the festival was the Sindur Khela, a traditional Bengali ritual where married women apply vermilion to one another. The event drew significant attention from passersby, who witnessed the lively atmosphere. The festivities wrapped up with an energetic Bollywood Dance Musical.
The viral videos garnered thousands of likes on Instagram and X, with many users applauding the celebration for bringing Indian-Americans closer to their cultural roots. Social media users shared images from the event, celebrating the Puja’s debut at Times Square. Many hailed the celebration as a significant example of India’s “soft power” and a historic moment for the Indian community in New York.
