For many Bengali families in Hinjewadi, Durga Puja has traditionally meant travelling across Pune to join the festivities. Long drives, festival traffic and crowded pandals were part of the experience. The celebration was joyful, but it did not always feel like a neighbourhood tradition.

That is changing with the first Sharodiya Durgotsav by Oitijhyo Sarbojonin Cultural Association in Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune, from 16 to 21 October 2026.

Oitijhyo is not aiming to create the biggest Durga Puja in Pune. Instead, the association wants to build something more personal: a para pujo that feels like it belongs to the local community.

The idea is simple. Children from nearby societies should have a stage to perform on. Families should meet during pushpanjali and bhog. Friends should return in the evening simply to spend time together. The celebration should feel less like an event people visit and more like a tradition they become part of.

A Puja for Everyone

“Oitijhyo” means heritage, but the association believes heritage is created through shared memories rather than the size of an idol or pandal.

The word sarbojonin, meaning “for everyone,” reflects the inclusive spirit of the celebration. Hinjewadi is home to people from Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand and many other parts of India.

While Durga Puja has Bengali roots, its celebration can be enjoyed by everyone. Visitors will be welcome to participate in pushpanjali, have bhog, watch the evening arati, explore stalls and enjoy cultural performances.

The cultural programme will focus on local talent, with opportunities for children, parents and community groups to perform. Rabindra Sangeet, Marathi group songs, classical dance and Bollywood performances could all find a place on the stage.

Community at the Centre

As a first-year puja, Oitijhyo is keeping its focus on careful organisation rather than scale.

Rituals will be conducted from Shashthi to Dashami, with morning pushpanjali and bhog for attendees. Evenings will focus on local performers instead of relying primarily on celebrity acts.

The association also aims to create opportunities for local artists, home bakers, food sellers and small businesses. By involving neighbourhood entrepreneurs, the puja hopes to support local livelihoods alongside community celebrations.

The organising team brings experience to the initiative, having previously contributed to Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Bengali New Year celebrations and other cultural programmes. Collectively, the members have worked on more than 200 events across India, handling permissions, vendors, programmes, volunteers and event safety.

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https://www.oitijhyosarbojonin.com/contact

Why Hinjewadi?

Hinjewadi has evolved significantly from its earlier identity as primarily an office destination. Today, families live in the area, children attend local schools, residential communities continue to grow and neighbourhood businesses have become part of everyday life.

The Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park and the wider Hinjewadi belt have attracted a large professional and residential population, while ongoing infrastructure development is strengthening the area's connection with the rest of Pune.

But a neighbourhood becomes a home through its people and shared experiences.

A community puja can become one of those experiences.

There may be long bhog queues, energetic children, tired volunteers and the occasional mistake in a programme sheet. That is part of the charm of a first-year para pujo.

The goal is not perfection. It is participation.

Oitijhyo hopes that children attending the celebration in 2026 will grow up with a simple memory: “This is my para pujo.”

Oitijhyo Sarbojonin Durga Puja 2026
16–21 October 2026
Sitai Banquet Hall, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune

For sponsorship and partnership enquiries:
info@oitijhyosarbojonin.com
WhatsApp: 8956047464