Seoul to organise first Durga Puja this year

Following in the footsteps of other world capitals, Seoul in South Korea too is organising its first Durga Puja this year.

The Bengali diaspora in South Korea wanted the puja to be held in proper Seoul, capital of the country, but the city fathers said it would be difficult to organise four days of festivity in the busy city.

“So we are organising it at the Uijambu Shree Radha Krishna Temple in Pocheon city, just an hour’s drive from Seoul,” Chandan of the newly floated South Korea Durga Puja Committee told PTI from Seoul.

He said it was a long time since they had been on a hunt for location to hold the Durga Puja in this part of the world.

“For long we have been trying to have our own Durga puja in this part of the world where we have made our home due to professional reasons. Finally, we can say Seoul will also have its very own puja from now on,” Chandan said.

The Uijambu Shree Radha Krishna Temple, popular among Indians in the country, is a witness all major Hindu festivals, except for Durga Puja which is dear to every Bengali.

“We expect more than 800 people to join us in our endeavour,” he said.

Arnab Basu and Malabika Kundu, who are living at Itaewon, Seoul, said they had been missing Kolkata during Durga Puja — its familiar sights, sounds and the typical Chandannagore illumination. Net and Facebook were the only outlets.

“Now we are looking forward to catch up with other Indians and Bengalis based here,” Malabika said.

The idol will not be immersed and kept for the next year probably.