In 1974, a few homesick Bengali families in Pune came together during Diwali. While a popular stereotype suggests that when a group of Bengalis gets together, it invariably marks the beginning of an adda, this group went beyond casual chitchat. They founded Banga Bharati, a social and cultural organisation whose first activity was to organise a Kali Puja.

But they struggled to find joba phool mala , belpata mala and aparajita mala , garlands of hibiscus, bel leaves and aparajita flowers, respectively. They also needed 35 lotus flowers and several other ritual items. But, these were not available in Pune . Undeterred, the families flew in these essentials from Kolkata and Mumbai . Everything in place, they launched Pimpri Chinchwad’s first Kali Puja, with a senior among the

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