THOUSANDS of people from all over the UK have poured into Merseyside to celebrate the Hindu festival, Durga Puja.

The Bengali Association of Merseyside and the North of England has been holding the largest Durga Puja celebrations in the UK in Kirkby.

Durga Puja – worship of the goddess Durga – is the biggest festival in the Bengal calendar and sees millions of people worldwide offer prayers, offerings and music to the supreme god.

Dr Somen Ghose, secretary general of the association, estimates 500 people have come to the Kirkby suite each day from as far away as Edinburgh.

He said: “They are attracted by the meticulous nature in which the priest runs the Durga Puja.

“Our prayers and worship are done at the right time and on the right days. It depends on the position of the stars and the moon in the sky, and means we have been meeting at 11am in the morning, for example.”

There are two more ceremonies each day where the faithful share vegetarian food and tonight, the fifth night of the autumn festival, is the last night.

Dr Ghose, who runs a general practitioner’s practice in Fazakerley, said: “Tonight we will end by embracing each other and letting the past go.

“If anyone has any problems or grievances, they are forgotten about and we move on.

“Anyone is welcome to come and simply watch. They don’t have to pray.”

Cllr Mike Murphy, chairman of the safer, stronger communities scrutiny committee, said: “Knowsley is delighted to support the celebration of one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar.

‘‘The council provides funding to the association and a venue to host its annual Durga Puja event.

“It has a long history in Kirkby, having held its annual festival in the town for over 30 years.”

Originally staged at the Kirkby sports centre, the celebrations moved last year and now take place in the Kirkby Suite.

Cllr Murphy added: “The festival brings together people of all ages and from different backgrounds and sends out a clear message that Knowsley values diversity and recognises the important role shared cultural experience has in the community.”

richardddown