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Around the mid ‘70s, many Bengali doctors in Liverpool visited the Indian High Commission to read the Bengali newspapers. The Indian High Commission Office, in those days, was located on Rodney Street in Liverpool. The idea of celebrating Durga Puja in Liverpool first blossomed at the High Commission office, thanks to the encouragement and support received from a member of the High Commission.

Preserving Our Rich Heritage

We have come a long way, and for this we would sincerely like to express our gratitude and thank all our founding members for having started us on this wonderful journey. We would also like to thank all our Executive Committee and community members for the immense contribution and support they have provided to the Association over the years. Their hard work and commitment has made our Pujas so enjoyable and special, as we continue to celebrate all our religious events and festivals to preserve our rich heritage.

The idea crystallised when a handful of Bengalis got together to provide the necessary financial support, and decided to celebrate Durga puja in Liverpool.

In 1977 we celebrated our first Durga Puja at the Edge Lane Hindu temple, under the auspices of Liverpool Puja Committee (now re-named BAMNE). The Durga Pratima (idol) for the first year came from India, with the support of several people based in India and the UK.

Some of our founding members have recounted how, during the initial period, the founders would search for Bengalis from the telephone directories to call them and invite them to attend the Durga Puja. Donations were collected by visiting various hospitals where many of the Bengali doctors worked.

Over the years we have celebrated Durga Puja at different venues in Liverpool and today, our membership spans speakers of various languages and ethnicities, consisting of doctors, lawyers, accountants, academics and business professionals. Our community today extends to 500 / 600 families in Liverpool and neighbouring counties.

Now in our 48^th year, we are one of the oldest Durga pujas in UK, second to the puja in London.