IIT Madras hosts inaugural Durga Puja celebrations

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras hosted its first-ever Durga Puja celebrations, which drew more than 2,500 attendees over a four-day period. The event was organized by the IIT Madras Bengali community in collaboration with Diganto, an independent student body and cultural club under the institute’s cultural umbrella, Sangam.

The festivities included traditional rituals such as Vedic chanting, Homam, and Arati. IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti participated in the ceremonies, joining in the chanting of chapters from the Durga Saptashati. Held at the institute’s community hall, the celebration was designed to be inclusive, welcoming students, faculty, staff, campus families, and local residents from across Chennai.

Organizers noted that the event served as a cultural melting point, allowing individuals from various regions to experience Bengali traditions. The successful debut marks a significant cultural addition to the campus, bringing the heritage of Bengal to the institute.