New York Correspondent — The two-day Times Square Durga Utsav 2026 concluded successfully in the heart of New York City, bringing together members of the Bengali diaspora for a vibrant celebration of religious tradition, culture, music, and dance. The festival, held on October 10 and 11, drew enthusiastic participation from the Bengali community despite challenging weather conditions on the second day.

Following the conclusion of the event, the Times Square Durga Utsav Association expressed its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, volunteered, contributed, and supported the celebration.

On Saturday, October 10, thousands of Bengalis gathered at Times Square under bright, sunny skies to celebrate the spirit of Durga Puja. The event transformed the iconic Manhattan destination into a lively gathering place for Bengali culture, devotion, and community spirit. Participants from New York and surrounding areas came together to pay their respects to Goddess Durga and celebrate their cultural heritage far from their ancestral homeland.

The festival provided an opportunity for members of the Bengali diaspora to reconnect with their traditions while sharing their rich cultural identity with the wider public. Weather conditions changed on Sunday, October 11, as rain swept through the area. Despite the unfavorable weather, hundreds of people continued to visit the festival venue to offer their prayers and pay homage to Goddess Durga.

Their presence reflected the deep devotion, enthusiasm, and cultural bonds that unite Bengalis across geographical boundaries. The turnout demonstrated that adverse weather could not dampen the community’s spirit or its connection to one of its most cherished festivals.

The two-day celebration featured religious rituals, prayers, floral offerings, the distribution of prasad, music, dance, and other cultural activities. Through these programs, the organizers sought to showcase Bengali heritage and the traditions of Durga Puja on an international platform. The celebration also served as an opportunity for younger generations of Bengali Americans to connect with their cultural roots.

For many members of the diaspora, the gathering represented more than a religious celebration. It was a moment to strengthen community ties, preserve traditions, and share Bengali culture with people from different backgrounds.

One of the notable highlights of this year’s festival was the recognition of six organizations for their contributions to preserving Bengali culture and the tradition of Durga Puja in the United States. The organizations honored were Bay Area Probashi Incorporated, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago, Bengali Cultural Society, East Coast Durga Puja Association, Kallol, and Pragati.

Their work in maintaining Bengali cultural traditions, promoting community engagement, and passing heritage on to younger generations was recognized as an important contribution to the Bengali diaspora.

In a message following the conclusion of the festival, the Times Square Durga Utsav Association thanked everyone who contributed their time, effort, and support to make the event possible.

The organizers highlighted the enthusiastic participation on the first day and the determination of devotees who attended despite the rain on the second day. They said the community’s love, devotion, and cooperation would remain a source of inspiration for future events.

The association also emphasized that although this year’s celebration had come to an end, the spirit of unity, friendship, and cultural harmony would continue. Organizers expressed their hope of welcoming Goddess Durga again next year with renewed enthusiasm and fresh aspirations.

The Times Square Durga Utsav has become an important occasion for the Bengali community to celebrate its religious traditions and showcase its cultural identity in one of the world’s most recognizable public spaces.

Beyond the religious ceremonies, the event highlighted the importance of preserving Bengali language, heritage, and traditions among communities living abroad. As the 2026 celebration concludes, organizers and participants look forward to returning next year for another gathering centered on devotion, cultural pride, and community solidarity. The Times Square Durga Utsav Association concluded its message by wishing peace, prosperity, and well-being for all and thanking everyone who helped make the festival memorable.

QUEENS, NY — Flushing Town Hall will celebrate its 12th annual Diwali Festival on Sunday, November 1, with an Indian wedding-themed cultural event featuring traditional Kathak dance, Indian cuisine, live drumming, and interactive arts workshops for families. The festival, titled Diwali Festival: The Indian Wedding, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. The event will bring Indian wedding traditions to life through live performances and hands-on activities designed to introduce audiences of all ages to South Asian culture. Admission is free for children.

The centerpiece of the festival will be a wedding dance drama presented by Abha B. Roy and the Srijan Dance Company at 2:15 p.m. The performance will showcase traditional Indian wedding customs, including henna application, the haldi ceremony, regional dances, marriage rituals, and the bride’s farewell. A tassa drumming procession will welcome the bridal party, inviting audiences to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Indian wedding.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors can participate in Indian classical and folk dance workshops, explore block printing with Dr. Alka Mukerji, and create colorful rangoli designs with Josh Roychowdhury. Additional activities will include henna art by Bella Beauty and Hindi calligraphy with Jasbir Bhatia.

Food will also be a central part of the celebration. Queens Curry Kitchen will offer Indian food and beverages, while Chef Nupur Arora will demonstrate how to prepare traditional vegetarian Indian dishes.

“Our theme for this year’s Diwali Festival is the Indian Wedding, offering audiences a festive window into one of India’s most cherished cultural traditions,” said Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall.

Kodadek said the festival reflects the organization’s commitment to presenting international arts and creating meaningful cultural experiences for the diverse communities of Queens and the greater New York City area. She also acknowledged the Guru Krupa Foundation for its longstanding support of the annual event.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is widely celebrated as the Festival of Lights. Its name comes from a Sanskrit expression meaning “row of lights,” and the holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance.

Celebrated by millions of people around the world, Diwali is marked by the lighting of traditional oil lamps, festive gatherings, family activities, and cultural performances. While the festival has deep roots in Hindu traditions, it is also observed by people from different religious and cultural backgrounds.

Gabrielle M. Hamilton, director of education and public programs at Flushing Town Hall, said the Indian wedding theme would allow visitors to experience the vibrant colors, music, dance, and traditions associated with the celebrations.

The festival’s teaching artists will encourage participants to engage directly with Indian art and performance traditions, making the event an opportunity for both cultural discovery and family entertainment.

Roy, artistic director of Srijan Dance Center, has led Flushing Town Hall’s annual Diwali Festival since its inception. A specialist in Kathak, a classical dance form from northern India, she trained under renowned gurus Kundan Lal Gangani and Pandit Durgalal and completed her specialization at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi. She has performed and taught internationally, including appearances at Lincoln Center, Flushing Town Hall, and the Queens Museum.

Arora, founder of Queens Curry Kitchen and author of The Vegan Indian Home, combines her culinary background with a passion for Indian home-style cooking. Mukerji, a professor in the Studio Art Department and director of the Berger & Brownson Art Gallery at Manhattanville University, explores themes of cultural identity, coexistence, social justice, and peace through her artistic practice.

Adult admission is $20, while adult members can purchase tickets for $15. Children will be admitted free. Tickets and additional information are available at https://www.flushingtownhall.org/show-details/diwali-festival-the-indian-wedding.

Flushing Town Hall will continue its international music programming on Saturday, November 14, with GLOBAL MASHUP: Bollywood Meets Hollywood. The concert will bring together musicians from both traditions, blending Bollywood rhythms with Hollywood musical classics and pop anthems. The evening will begin with a dance lesson at 7 p.m., followed by individual performances and a collaborative musical finale.

Flushing Town Hall is a nonprofit cultural institution operated by the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. Located in a historic 1862 landmark, the organization presents international and local artists through performances, arts education, and community programs. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group, it promotes cultural exchange and artistic engagement across Queens and beyond. For more information, visit www.flushingtownhall.org or call (718) 463-7700, extension 222.

Subrata Chowdhury | Atlantic City — Jagorani Cultural Society Inc. will celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja on October 23 and 24, 2026, at the Hindu Jain Temple on South Pomona Road in South Jersey, New Jersey. The two-day celebration will feature traditional worship, aarti, cultural performances, and Mahaprasad distribution, bringing together members of the Bengali community and people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

For Bengalis, autumn evokes memories of white kash flowers swaying in the breeze, fluffy clouds drifting across the sky, and the delicate fragrance of shiuli blossoms. Although Bengalis living in the United States are far from the familiar autumn landscapes of Bengal, their attachment to their homeland’s traditions and cultural heritage remains strong. Durga Puja provides an opportunity for expatriate Bengalis to preserve their cultural identity and celebrate their shared heritage.

According to Hindu tradition, Goddess Durga represents the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of righteousness. A popular account associated with the festival describes Lord Rama invoking Goddess Durga during autumn before his battle against Ravana to rescue his wife, Sita. This autumnal invocation, traditionally known as Akal Bodhan, is associated with the origin of the autumn Durga Puja tradition, which has become one of the most important religious and cultural celebrations among Bengali Hindus.

This year’s celebration in South Jersey is being organized by Jagorani Cultural Society Inc. at the Hindu Jain Temple, located at 571 South Pomona Road. Preparations are underway for the two-day festival, which will include religious ceremonies, aarti, cultural programs, and the distribution of Mahaprasad.

One of the major attractions will be a musical performance on Friday night, October 23, by Abhishek Sinha Chowdhury, known for his association with Zee Bangla’s popular musical reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, according to the organizers. His performance is expected to add a special musical dimension to the festivities and attract music enthusiasts from South Jersey and neighboring communities.

Beyond its religious significance, Durga Puja serves as an important cultural gathering for Bengali communities across the United States. The annual celebration offers an opportunity for families to maintain longstanding traditions, introduce younger generations to Bengali heritage, and strengthen friendships and community ties.

Jagorani Cultural Society Inc. has invited everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background, to join the festivities. The organizers hope the celebration will foster cultural understanding, communal harmony, and a stronger sense of community while keeping the traditions of Bengal alive in the diaspora.

The Durga Puja festivities will take place on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, at the Hindu Jain Temple on South Pomona Road in South Jersey. The organizers welcome community members and visitors interested in experiencing Bengali religious traditions, music, and cultural celebrations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has officially recognized Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law on September 27, 2026.  The legislation, known as the California Eid State Holiday Act, adds the two major Islamic holidays to California’s list of state holidays. The law was authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney and was approved by the governor as Chapter 571, Statutes of 2026.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid al-Adha, observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the two major Islamic festivals. Under the new law, K-12 public schools and community colleges may close for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha through locally negotiated agreements. Students observing either holiday are also entitled to an excused absence under the provisions of the law.

The legislation also allows eligible state and school employees to use existing holiday credits or leave time to observe the two Islamic holidays. However, the law does not require every private employer to close or provide a paid holiday to all workers. It also does not make the two Eids judicial holidays.

The legislation does not designate the month of Ramadan itself as a state holiday. Instead, it formally recognizes the two Eids that occur in the Islamic calendar. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of AB 2017 as part of a legislative update on September 27.

RIYADH — Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement south of the holy city of Makkah before it could enter the city’s restricted airspace, the Saudi-led coalition said Wednesday.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50 p.m. local time Tuesday, with its wreckage falling south of Makkah. Saudi authorities had also issued security alerts in Makkah and other areas of the kingdom amid concerns over possible attacks.

Al-Malki described the incident as the Houthis’ second reported attempt to target Makkah, referring to a ballistic missile launched toward the holy city in July 2017. He warned that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a “red line” and said the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks.

The incident comes amid a broader escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with Saudi warplanes carrying out strikes in Yemen and the Houthis launching drones and missiles toward Saudi territory, according to Reuters.

The Houthis, however, denied targeting Makkah or any Islamic holy site, rejecting the Saudi allegation. Reuters also reported that the group claimed responsibility for other attacks on Saudi territory while denying that Makkah was the target.

Makkah is Islam’s holiest city and the site of the Grand Mosque and the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The reported interception therefore comes with heightened sensitivity as the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis expands into a wider regional confrontation.

Saudi Arabia has announced that individuals holding any type of visa will now be permitted to perform Umrah. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported the development on Sunday, citing the country’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

According to the ministry, the decision aimed to make performing Umrah more accessible and convenient. The move is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to expand the kingdom’s religious tourism sector and enhance the overall quality of services for pilgrims.

The ministry stated that eligibility now extends to holders of personal and family visit visas, e-tourist visas, transit visas, work visas, and all other visa categories. The initiative is expected to enable Muslims worldwide to perform their religious rites in a peaceful and seamless manner.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also announced the launch of a new digital platform called Nusuk Umrah, through which users can select Umrah packages, obtain necessary permits, and book related services. Pilgrims will also have the flexibility to choose their preferred schedules.

The ministry stated that these initiatives were undertaken under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, so that Muslims can receive high-quality services in a safe and spiritual environment and enrich their Umrah experience.