About our Samiti

The Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja is one of the oldest among the Durga Pujas celebrated in Bangalore. The history of this Samiti and the Puja is really interesting. Lot of Bengalis from Deharadun’s Technical Development Establishment (I&E) moved to Bangalore during 1954 These bengalis started performing Durga Puja in 1955 under the leadership of Lt Colonel B M Chakraborty who was the Superintendent-in-charge of TDE (E). The event came about with the efforts of the Bengali employees of TDE (E), with contributions from their salary. Sri S N Das used to spend three months of tireless effort in P N Das / G M Nandi’s garage to mould, paint and dress up the idol with the help of other members viz. S C Das, G M Nandi, M C Saha, N Mondal etc. Arranging puja, prasad and bhog was organized by the womenfolk.  

Initially the location was the Mysore Lancers Line & Welfare Centre hall. From those very days pandals were erected in the open area and plays were held; rekindling the cultural heritage that Bengalis share. 

It was in 1966 that all the Bengalis of Defense organizations decided to have a puja at Jayamahal Extension. At that time AVM S N Roychaudhury was the driving force behind this Puja. The Puja from Mysore Lancers site moved to a corner plot in Jayamahal Extension. The main sources of inspirations and resources were all from the Defense Organizations. In1967, the Patron-in-Chief was none other than Smt Hasi Lal, the wife of the then Air Chief S P Lal.

The Puja venue then moved to Kurgee Hall in Vasanth Nagar. For three years, Durga Puja was celebrated there. Finally due to huge effort of Mrs. Shoba Sengupta, permission was received to celebrate the Puja in Ladies Club, Jayamahal ground, our current venue. In 1973, for the first time the “Defense Puja” was celebrated with real fan-fare in Ladies Club ground. 

Later lot of other Bengalis residing in and around Jayamahal joined this Puja. The Puja started growing and lot of people like Mr. Sujit Ghosh started getting involved actively with this Puja. Many Defense organisations like Command Hospital, Training Command etc. started their Durga pujas in their own premise. So this Puja started losing the Defense tag as majority of the people involved with Puja were from non-Defense organizations. In 1980, Dr. K C Nag joined this Puja as President.  

Our Mission

“Strive to integrate the rich cultures of Bengal and Karnataka through diverse cultural activities and to help the society through charitable and social welfare activities”

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