Following its inaugural success last year, this weekend will see the second immersion procession and Durga Puja celebrations hosted in Ferry Meadows, marking the end of the second community Durga Puja ceremony for Peterborough. 

The Durga Puja festival is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the victory of Lord Rama over the 10-headed demon-king Ravana. The festival marks the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and celebrates the strength of Durga. The Festival, organised by Bengali Sanstriti Club Peterborough, kicks off on Friday 20th October at 6pm at The New Theatre and the celebrations last from Friday to Sunday, culminating in the immersion ceremony of the goddess Durga at Ferry Meadows on Sunday 22nd October at 2.30pm.

The Festival is being organised by the Bengali Sanskriti Club Peterborough with support from Nene Park Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Your Community Greenspace project.

On the 22nd October at 2.30pm, a beautifully carved sculpture of the Goddess Durga will be transported in style on the back of a Nene Park Trust vehicle through the Park, past the Visitor Centre and will arrive at Lynch Lake for the ceremonial anointing of the Goddess at the water’s edge. Members of the public are warmly welcome to come and watch or join in with the procession.

We will be continuing the celebrations throughout the afternoon with festival craft making at the craft stall, piping hot Indian snacks at the food stall, live Dhaak music and Sindur khela and Dhunuchi dance. Everyone is welcome to come and join in! 

Lindsey Holmes, Project Manager for the Heritage Lottery funded project Your Community Greenspace at Nene Park Trust says, “We are excited to be a part of this celebration for the second year and look forward to seeing Nene Park at the centre of such an important event for the Hindu community in Peterborough.”