In Photos: Durga Puja in Glasglow's Ancient Church
Witness Durga Pujo celebrations in Glasgow's ancient church.
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The 18th century Gothic Revival architecture of this church, the Thomas Coats Memorial church, was designed by Hippolyte Blanc, a famous Scottish architect. As lanes led to the beautiful Goddess and her children adorning the center stage.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
The crowds saw people come from all walks of life, regions of India and from around the world. Everyone with the hope of witnessing Utsav and sharing the joy of the festival.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
A little girl sits on her father's shoulders and looks at the Goddess straight in the eyes and prays to her.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
An elderly couple stands in front of the Goddess and her children as the priest reads the mantras.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
The priests arrange the requirements of the pujo, as the sun sets against the Gothic architecture of the church.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
Details of the church showing tales of the disciples of Jesus sculpted on marble, right beside the idols of the Goddess and her children.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
A mother and her little daughter witness the goddess and her children.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
Glimpses of the community fire. It is considered to be holy and everyone shares the warmth and cleanses themselves with it, in a sense.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
A lady passes on the community fire to people around.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
Chai, refreshments and Irn Bru were served, a lovely symbol of our shared cultural heritage in Scotland.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
The Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley.
(Photo: Malini Chakrabarty)
With autumn rolling in Glasgow, the Durga Pujo became a reality and the sense of magic was relived. The Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley was filled with the smell of Jasmine, and sounds of laughter, and Dhaak and everyone, not just Indians, was adorned in beautiful clothes with smiles across their faces and a glimmer in their eyes. From English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch, French, American, people from all walks of life come together in this ancient church to celebrate Pujo.
May we keep up our fight against evil and may good prevail over everyone, with no discrimination. Subho Bijoya!
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