Kids’ Garba, soulful bhajans, cultural performances, festive shopping and Sindoor Khela highlight an evening of devotion, heritage and community unity.
Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Devi Hindu Women Association successfully hosted its Durga Puja celebration in Calgary, bringing the spirit of India to the local community through a vibrant gathering of culture, devotion and togetherness.
Organizers Shailley and Nistha described the celebration as “a little home away from home, a little India right here in Calgary.” The event brought families together to honour Maa Durga, celebrate Indian traditions and strengthen cultural connections among people living far from their homeland.
The celebration featured children’s Garba performances, soulful bhajans, cultural performances, festive shopping and Sindoor Khela. The evening was filled with devotion, laughter and warm interactions, offering families an opportunity to experience the richness of Indian culture and connect with their heritage.
Shailley and Nistha shared that seeing community members come together, celebrate their traditions and build meaningful connections was deeply touching. For them, Devi represents more than a cultural event; it is a platform to celebrate roots, support one another, build friendships and create a family away from family.
The organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the event’s sponsors for helping make the celebration free for the community. Golden sponsors included Costco Wholesale Canada and YYC Homecare. Silver sponsors included Beena Juneja of Venus Realty, Vandana Sharma and Mamta Sharma of Golden Harmony Homecare, Mital Patel of MP Reality, and Vaishali Patil of Mumbaaayi.
Special appreciation was extended to the cultural participants, vendors, attendees and Team Devi members whose dedication contributed to the event’s success. Hima Daxesh Dalwadi of DHKND was also acknowledged for her contribution to the stage decorations.
The organizers expressed gratitude to Maa Durga for bringing everyone together under her divine blessings. The celebration highlighted the importance of preserving Indian traditions, strengthening community bonds and introducing younger generations to their cultural heritage.
Through Devi, the association continues to promote a welcoming environment where women and families feel connected, supported and proud of their roots. The successful celebration served as a reminder that, even thousands of kilometres away from India, its culture, values and traditions remain alive in the hearts of its people.
For the Devi Hindu Women Association, the event embodied a simple yet powerful message: a little India, a lot of love and Maa Durga’s blessings in Calgary.
