Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja was a grand success!!! We would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all who actively contributed to make this event a successful one. It will not be fair to name just a few persons as it was a big team effort. A lot of behind the scene preparation had gone in and people have put in countless hours. Kudos to all of them!!! It is this undying enthusiasm that keeps us as a community going forward.

The puja prompty started at 11.30 a.m. with the Arati and Anjali, followed by Hathe Khori ceremony for the young first-time writers, while behind the scenes, our kitchen department was making sure we get our snacks and lunch. Jhal muri with over 500 Begunis were on the flow for most part of the morning, in fact Begunis were so much in demand, that we had to run to the grocery to pick up fresh batch of Beguns :-) Chaa, coffee and cold drinks were making sure the food pipe was constantly lubricated. Then around midday the prasad and bhog was distributed, thanks to all who prepared various items like Kophir torkari, misti, tomatoor chatni, payesh from home and brought in. We were stuffed in by then and might well have skipped the dinner, but wait there was more to come. "Did I mention, the smell of Bhapa Ilish mesmerized us and stimulated our appetite?"

Around 2:30 p.m., we started the children's art competition, thanks to all who participated. The moment was filled with so much intensity, it was showing...not only among the children who were participating, but also their parents who were equally tense and excited. You have to see to believe where the imaginations of the kids run. One had drawn the twin towers just before they were hit, while another promptly sketched the US flag. All the drawings were equally good, it was very hard for us to decide which one was the best, all of them were...Thanks kids, you did a great job!!!

The children's art competition was followed by Bangla school performance where kids performed various activities one among them was group dance. The talent show followed, and boy'O'boy what a pool of talent we have, it was hard to imagine how well the children have embraced our Indian culture while staying over 8000 miles away from our motherland. There were participants as young as 3 year olds to teenagers. Not only were they good in singing, dancing, instruments, but the grace with which they carried themselves out on the stage was just unbeatable. The credit goes not only to the kids, but also their parents who have put in countless hours and ensured that our great traditions are never forgotten. Keep up the good work.

All the kids were so talented, it was showing and the talent show that was supposed to get over by 6 p.m., went on till about 7.30 p.m. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming and we didn't want to disappoint them as this is one of the avenues where they get to show their talent and appreciation for the Indian culture, and besides Saraswati Puja is all about learning and for the kids right!!

Some of our members couldn't wait and we had to open our kitchen for the dinner, so the dinner and talent show went on side-by-side towards the latter half. Speaking of dinner, it was nice and filling, some of the things that I can remember having was Kochuri, Naan, Chholar daal, Matar Paneer, Kofta curry, Bhapa Ilish, Papad, Raita and Misti. It was a real feast, after all, we Bengali's are all about food & adda right…well maybe not…

After the dinner it was the closing time, and as the members and friends started to depart to their sweet homes, some of us stayed back to ensure that things get wrapped up correctly, that includes cleaning and that means everything from kitchen to the fallen tissues on the bathroom floors!!! It is hard, especially after a long day, but had to be done right? All in all, it wasn't that bad, thanks to all the members and friends who kept the Puja venue relatively clean. Thanks to all the EC members and friends who stayed back and probably reached home by midnight.

Well, I think it was a good summary of how the Saraswati Puja went. It was a huge success and we would like to thank one and all who made this event a great one. We look forward to the next event. See you all there, please come in large numbers with family and friends. Staty tuned for updates.

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Directions

From the North

Take I-95 South to Exit 17 (I-676 West). Follow I-676 to I-76 East (Schuylkill Expressway). Exit I-76 immediately at Exit 39 (30th St.). To be positioned correctly for exit, stay in right lane after passing Exit 37. At top of exit ramp, turn right, then follow curve to left. At second traffic light (30th and Market Sts.), turn right. Follow Market St. to 33rd St.

From the South

Take I-95 North past Chester and the Airport exits to Exit 11 for Central Philadelphia/I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway). Follow I-76 West to Exit 39 (30th St.). Proceed across Chestnut St. and turn left at next traffic light (Market St.). Follow Market St. to 33rd St.

From the West

Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Valley Forge Exit. Follow I-76 East (Schuylkill Expressway) to Exit 39 (30th St.) To be positioned correctly for exit, stay in right lane after passing Exit 37. At top of exit ramp, turn right, then follow curve to left. At second traffic light (30th and Market Sts.), turn right. Follow Market St. to 33rd St.

From New Jersey

Take I-295 or the Atlantic City Expressway to Route 42 North. Follow Route 42 to Walt Whitman Bridge. Cross bridge and follow I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway) to Exit 39 (30th St.). Proceed across Chestnut St. and turn left at next traffic light (Market St.). Follow Market St. to 33rd St.

By Train

Take Amtrak or SEPTA trains to 30th Street Station. From main lobby, proceed to 30th St. exit doors. Turn left immediately after exiting and proceed to corner of 30th and Market Sts. Cross 30th St., heading west, and proceed up Market St., passing under the blue-and-yellow Drexel train trestle. Continue up Market St. to 33rd St.

Parking: In addition to free roadside parking and parking across the Newman Center, we have also secured the parking lot that is adjacent to the Newman Center.