Over 3,000 people from across the globe will descend upon Kirkby over the next few days for one of the biggest Bengali festivals in Europe.
The Hindu Festival of Durga Puja will be held at the Kirkby Suite from Thursday 24 September until 28 September.
The activities during the festival will include prayer, singing, dancing and dining. The food will be prepared by specialist chefs trained in India and is of the highest standard. The event provides an educational and cultural experience to the many different faiths and school children who attend.
The event has been held in Knowsley for the past 29 years. This is England’s only major Durga Puja celebration outside London, and visitors are expected to attend from Newcastle, Birmingham, and Leeds. Families are also expected to come from India to share the celebrations with their family.
Councillor Ron Round, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “Knowsley has a proud history of welcoming people into the borough, which is underpinned by our Respect and Good Neighbour campaigns.
“Hosting the event is an excellent example of how people from all backgrounds are welcomed in Knowsley to celebrate their proud history.”
Durga Puja is the annual Hindu Festival that celebrates the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It is the biggest Hindu Festival and the most significant cultural event in Bengali society.
According to Hindu tradition, the goddess Durga killed the evil demon Mahishasur. She is depicted as having ten arms, carrying a weapon in each, and riding upon either a lion or a tiger.
Durga Puja takes place over six days, with the exact start date changing each year according to the traditional Hindu calendar.
Comments