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As Durga Puja approaches, we invite you to join hands and be part of the celebration by volunteering your time and effort. Durga Puja is not only a religious festival but also a symbol of our cultural pride and unity. To make this year’s celebration truly special, we need your help in the following areas:

1. Pujo Decoration: If you have an eye for beauty and creativity, join our team to help decorate the Puja pandal and surrounding areas. Whether it’s setting up lights, arranging flowers, or creating artistic pieces, your contribution will add to the festive atmosphere.
2. Pujo Preparation: Assist in organizing and preparing the essential items needed for the Puja rituals. Helping with cutting fruits, organizing flowers and preparing the space for the ceremonies, your involvement will ensure the smooth flow of events.
3. Puja Bhog Offering: Help with the preparation of the puja Bhog.

Your time and effort will help us uphold our traditions and bring the spirit of Durga Puja alive within our community. Whether you can contribute a few hours or dedicate several days, your participation will make a meaningful impact.

To volunteer, please join respective WhatsApp groups and sign-up sheets. We look forward to celebrating together and making this Durga Puja a memorable one for all.

Thank you.

Team Prabashi

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We are thrilled to extend our warmest invitation for Prabashi’s spring event, Rang De Basanti on May 5th! This celebration aims to unite all Portland Indian communities in a multicultural extravaganza, blending the vibrant essences of various regions together.

Spring unfolds a time of festivity for all, whether it’s Holi, Ugadi, Bihu, Baisakhi, Onam or Bengali Nabobarsho – no matter which region of India we represent, we all share in the joy of the season’s arrival, reminiscent of our homes.

Join us for an unforgettable carnival experience featuring music, dance, a spectacular exhibition of jewelry and clothing, and of course, a delectable food mela curated by our talented local home chefs!

We invite you to share the richness of your culture by participating in our cultural events. Gather your friends and family for group dance performances (preferably groups of 5 or more) and showcase the essence of your heritage to the entire Portland Indian community!

Please sign up below –

Cultural Event Sign-Up

Calling all small and women-owned businesses! Seize this opportunity to showcase your talents and share your regional flavors with our wider community. Register as a vendor here and be part of this vibrant celebration.

Please sign up below –

Vendor Registration Sign-up

Let’s embrace the spirit of spring with renewed hope and solidarity. Together, let’s keep our traditions alive and create a cultural melting pot that celebrates the beauty of our Indian communities!

All participants need to buy tickets.

Rang De Basanti Tickets:

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Kobita, Gaan O Adda e Srijato An evening of Kobita, Gaan o Adda with Srijato Bandopadhyay 

• Date and Time: Sunday May 12th, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (gate opens at 5:00 pm)
• Venue: Intel Aloha Campus Auditorium. 3585 SW 198th Ave, Aloha, OR 97007
• Tickets available until Monday May 5th or capacity reached.
• Come and nourish your soul at this musical adda session with Srijato.

Get your tickets here –

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People dress in yellow saris or shirts or accessories, share yellow colored snacks and sweets. Some add saffron to their rice then eat yellow cooked rice as a part of an elaborate feast.Many families mark this day by sitting with babies and young children, encouraging their children to write their first words with their fingers, some just study or create music together.

We here celebrate Saraswati puja at Portland Hindu Temple. Its not only the pujo which is definitely interesting but also the whole preparation of decoration, cutting fruits & vegetables and finally cooking together . Its not an event to miss.

Look at pictures from last Saraswati Puja under Past Events

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In the Krittibas Ramayana, Rama invokes the goddess Durga in his battle against Ravana. Although she was traditionally worshipped in the spring, due to contingencies of battle, Rama had to invoke her in the autumn akaal bodhan. Today it is this Rama’s date for the pujo that has gained ascendancy, although the spring pujo, known as Basanti Puja, is also present in the Hindu almanac and is celebrated in various parts of Bengal. Since the season of the puja is (শরৎ Shôrot) autumn, it is also known as শরদিয়া Shôrodia.

The pujos are held over a ten-day period, which is traditionally viewed as the coming of the married daughter, Durga, to her father, Himalaya’s home. It is the most important festival in Bengal, and Bengalis celebrate with new clothes and other gifts, which are worn on the evenings when the family goes out to see the ‘pandals’ (temporary structures set up to venerate the goddess). Although it is a Hindu festival, religion takes a backseat on these five days: Durga Pujo in Bengal is a carnival, where people from all backgrounds, regardless of their religious beliefs, participate and enjoy themselves to the hilt.

Every year Prabashi celebrates Durga puja with lots of fun and fanfare along with the community.We celebrate the 10 day festival into two days which involves pujo and cultural programs .

Past Durga Puja events are under the Past events .

Check this year details on Durga Pujo on the submenu for this year.

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Dear Prabashi community,

In the upcoming year, we are set to inaugurate a new Durga Pratima. We extend a unique opportunity for individuals to contribute towards the creation of this new idol. The estimated cost for the construction of the new idol, inclusive of shipping and handling, is approximately $5000. Your generous contributions will play a vital role in making this endeavor a reality. For those who wish to support and participate, we assure you that we will provide a tax-exempt receipt upon request, acknowledging your valuable contribution to this auspicious project. Your support is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to celebrating the new Durga Pratima together.

Joy Ma Durga!!!
Team Prabashi

Thank you Patrons for your generous donations, the required amount being reached we are closing the donation option.

The post Sharadiya 2024: Donation for new Durga Pratima!! appeared first on Prabashi Portland.

Dear Prabashi community,

Wishing everyone a joyous New Year – 2024! May this year bring abundant happiness into your lives, fostering stronger bonds within our community and propelling us toward new heights of success. Excitingly, Prabashi Portland is delighted to announce our inaugural celebration of the year – Prabashi Saraswati Pujo 2024 on Saturday, February 10th. It marks the eagerly anticipated moment when we welcome Ma Saraswati, the revered Goddess of knowledge, learning, wisdom, and music.

Let’s unite and strive for the collective success of making this event a resounding achievement in 2024. The Pujo rituals commence at 10 am, with Anjali scheduled for 11:30 am. Kindly utilize the webform below to secure your tickets and be part of this auspicious occasion.

Due to lower-than-expected participation, we’ve made the tough decision to cancel the evening program. However, we’re excited to share that we’re planning some engaging and interactive activities during the day, including Quiz and Antakshari. More details will be shared later.

Bose Aanko, Art & Craft Event has garnered considerable interest, and we are thrilled to host this event for our young talents at Puja Mandap starting at 11 am. Please register for your kid for Bose Aanko in the link below. Selected paintings/drawings will be highlighted during next Darpan publication.

We closed Bose Anko registrations now, see you all in Puja.

Event Schedule:
Pujo: 10 am – 12:45pm
Anjali: 11:30am
Haate Khori: 12:00 noon
Homa: 12:15 pm
Lunch: 12 noon – 2 pm
Place: HECSA Portland Balaji Temple, 6100 SW Raab Road, OR 97221

Saraswati Pujo 2024 Tickets:

Lunch coupons are INCLUDED as part of entry tickets.

Last day for tickets was Wednesday, Feb 7th.

Sold Out

Saraswati pujo needs your help: Call for volunteers

As you all know that we are planned to celebrate Ma Saraswati this 10th Feb, we are looking for willing hands who can support us in making this event most awesome than ever. Below is a list of volunteering opportunities for you to select from. We urge you to put in your best effort and provide your much needed help for Saraswati Pujo.

1. Puja decoration (on the day before)

When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Feb 9th, 2024 (Friday)
Where: HECSA Portland Balaji Temple
Contact email: prabashi.portland@gmail.com
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CQVjh82WCkl5umutnKKTRK
Contact person: Poulomi Dey ; Debadrita Modak

2. Puja preparation 

When: 8 am – 10:00 am, Feb 10th, 2024 (Saturday)
Where: HECSA Portland Balaji Temple
What to expect: Helping with cutting fruits, organizing flowers and setting up the puja.
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CjvtuAc6X6XG4meQX6LhAd
Contact email: prabashi.portland@gmail.com
Contact person: Poulomi Dey; Debadrita Modak

3. Puja Bhog Offering

    When: 9:00 am – 9:30 am, Feb 10th, 2024 (Saturday)
Where: HECSA Portland Balaji Temple
Contact email: prabashi.portland@gmail.com
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ef1HHEeWLfZ4kfOkmxo5SC
Contact person: Poulomi Dey ; Debadrita Modak

Please connect with us through any of our communication channels if you have any questions.

Note: Volunteers who are Intel employees can log their hours since Prabashi is a non-profit. This scenario could be valid for other employers with respect to their own volunteering programs.

Chhotoder Haate Khori

Prabashi Association of Portland joyfully invites you to partake in the significant Bengali ceremony of “Haate Khori” (introduction to education) for your child during this Saraswati Pujo celebration. If you are interested, kindly send an email or send a message in WhatsApp group below to Prabashi to secure a spot for your child.

Contact email: prabashi.portland@gmail.com
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ig51XsFoCccLQWSCGOwSd8
Contact person: Poulomi Dey ; Debadrita Modak

Parents are requested to bring the following items for the ceremony: Chalkboard, chalks, flowers, sweets and pronami.

Prabashi Book Donation Drive

Dear Prabashi Community,

As part of Community Outreach, this year we will conduct a Book drive during Saraswati Pujo.

Childrens’ book collection will be donated to SMART Reading. This nonprofit strives to create a community where all children can realize their full potential through reading.

Rest of the collection will be provided to The Book Center. The mission of this group is to support Beaverton City Library expand their services and programs and provide increased access to free books and media, especially to underserved communities.

Urge our community members to bring your donation to the Saraswati Pujo and make this initiative a success.

If you cannot make it to the Pujo but like to donate, please contact Prabashi and we will work out a pick up.

Thank you,
Team Prabashi Portland

This year we are providing opportunities to give stall in our Puja venue, encouraging local businesses, below are our current list of vendors –

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