The Hindustan Club of Aizawl has literally kept the flame of Durga puja burning since 1904 in this remote Northeast state where nearly 90 per cent of the population are Christians.
''We have been celebrating Durga puja here without any disturbance since past 107 years. This is possible only through the harmonious co-existence among people of all faiths, particularly the tolerance and hospitality of the majority Mizo Christians,'' Hindustan Club of Aizawl president P Chakraborty said here today.
''This year too, we have received warm wishes from Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and the people of Mizoram. We are particularly thankful to Young Mizo Association and residents of Zarkawt locality where the mandir is located, for their tolerant and hospitality,'' he said.
The activities of the Hindustan Club might be a low-key affair over the years, regular observance of Durga Puja for more than hundred years by a miniscule Hindu community is quite historic, P Chakaraborty, a retired law secretary added.
Chakraborty recollected that four civilian employees of the First Assam Rifles observed Durga Puja in their complex along with some of the believers here.
''The formation of the Hindustan Club and the consequent regular observation of Durga Puja was actually inspired by them,'' he said.
The five-day festival is celebrated every year in Shakti Mandhir, set up by the Hindustan club during 1950. However, the festival has gained more popularity, jumping from five to nine in a matter of few years. Every year Durga puja is celebrated by the floating Hindu population of about 8,000 to 10,000.
While Bengalis take the lead in organising the biggest puja at Shakti Mandir at Zarkawt, the Nepalis of Mizoram hold pujas in four places.
Two more pujas are organised in temples in Aizawl, while two more are being organised at 10 AR Battalion cantonment of the Assam Rifles in Khatla and by the Border Roads Task Force officials.
As Mizoram has only one permanent Hindu priests, the organisers had to import at least three more priests from Silchar (in Assam) about 180 km from Aizawl.
The idol of the Goddess Durga is made in the club premises by a special artisan every year and then the idols are carried in trucks in procession amid beating of drums and cymbals.
This year’s celebration included a sit-and-draw competition for school children of all communities on the theme of national integration. About 300 students from Christian, Hindu and Muslim took part in the painting competition.
Besides cultural activities, charity is another important feature of Durga puja in Aizawl.