A group of 2147 refugees from n East Pakistan fought to claim ir share of land in Indian capital in year 1966, which has w turned into largest Bengali resident area in New Delhi, perhaps one of largest areas allotted to displaced Bengalis worldwide. y built Kalibari, a trademark Bengali cultural and religious conglomeration in ir allotted land. y have Bengali Medium Schools, Chittaranjan Bhavan, and East Bengal Displaced Association. Above all, y celebrate Durga Puja, which started back in 1970s.

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Partition and refugees

Since partition of West Pakistan in 1947, re were violent wars in East, leading to formation of Bangladesh in 1971. Meanwhile, many residents who have a different faith than Islam had to flee country and come to India. It was same with Pakistan in West. Many fled across border - a majority of m Punjabis. Delhi government started to allot lands to many refugees from n West Pakistan. Yet ones from East arrived a few years late and had to appeal and fight for ir share of land. According to Secretary, Kali Mandir Society, Government allotted lands to 2147 people in 1970, most of which had lived in Delhi since 1966. And by 1973 Bengalis started to build ir homes in South Delhi's Chittaranjan.

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Formation of Kalibari

Kalibari is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, most revered deity of Bengalis, and is built across world by Bengalis to mark ir cultural significance. In 1973, residents of Chittaranjan Park chose land in front of Market .4 to be holy land for Kali temple. Soon, more and more people got attracted to spiritual place, in turn, donations came in and temple grew. Initially, land belonged to Government. Later, committee applied to buy  land and acquired it, said Secretary, KMS. Today, re's a Kali mandir with an adjacent Shiva and Radha Krishna mandir along with a guest house which is highly sought by Bengalis visiting Delhi.

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Durga Puja in Chittaranjan

first Durga Puja in Chittaranjan was organized in Kalibari in 1973. Since n, each year temple committee has been organizing puja every year. As Bengalis multiplied, re are about 12-13 Pujas in and around Chittaranjan w. All pandals have a special me imbibed in m. Yet most of m opted for eco-friendly idols this year.

"This year's Puja has a special organic touch to it. All components of deity are biodegradable, so are cutlery used to serve devotees," said Mr. Ashitava, President, Kali Mandir Society. "Our funds are mand by donations and from earnings of stalls and advertisements put up around Mandap," he added.

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