Welcome to the BCA
Founded in the mid-1970s, the Bengali Cultural Association is a registered charity based in North-East London. Our mission is to create joyful, meaningful experiences that foster friendship, harmony, and a deep connection to our Bengali roots.
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Through vibrant celebrations of Bengali religious festivals, cultural events filled with music, dance, and drama, and a strong focus on youth involvement, we aim to keep our rich heritage alive and thriving. We’re passionate about sharing the beauty of our identity, both cultural and spiritual, with the wider community.
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Join us in celebrating Bengal’s spirit, building connections, and creating lasting memories in the heart of the UK.
Our history
Our Origins and Journey
Our story begins with a simple idea: to celebrate and stay connected to our Bengali heritage through community, culture, and shared traditions. What started as a group of friends gathering to honour their roots eventually blossomed into a vibrant cultural association.
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In 1973, members of the Bengali Hindu community in East London came together to celebrate Saraswati Puja at Stratford Town Hall. The event, organised with care and enthusiasm by Mr Hiranmoy Bhattacharya, was a great success and warmly received by the local community.
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Encouraged by this response, the celebration of Saraswati Puja became an annual tradition, hosted at various venues across the area. Then, in 1975, Mr Jogen Misra and his peers organised the first-ever Durga Puja at the Hindu Temple on Cedars Road, Stratford, another significant milestone.
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At the time, there was no formal structure behind these efforts. Everything was driven by the passion and dedication of a few individuals, with meetings held ad hoc and donations collected door-to-door.
In 1978, thanks to the support of barrister Mira Chatterjee, a well-wisher of the group, the Bengali Cultural Association was formally established. She drafted the constitution, and BCA was officially registered as a UK charity (registration number 278295), marking the beginning of a more organised and enduring chapter in our journey.
Our committee
It takes the passion and commitment of many remarkable individuals to keep the BCA thriving. Our activities are guided and overseen by an elected Board of Trustees, who work together to uphold our mission and bring our events to life.
Meet the current office bearers below:
Mr Ajay Ghoshal
President
Mrs Gouri Banerjee
Vice President
Mr Indranil Ganguly
General Secretary
Mr Susanta Samanta
Treasurer
And meet our Executive committee members:
TRUSTEES
Dr Asokandanda Kumar Trustee Secretary
Dr Ujal Sarkar, Mrs Sunanda Ray, Mrs Aruna Roy
Events
Throughout the year, we host a range of social and cultural events that bring our community together. Our biggest highlights are the annual Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja celebrations, filled with devotion, joy, and tradition. Each celebration concludes with a vibrant cultural Sanmilani evening, showcasing music, dance, and performances from our talented community members and invited guests.
Saraswati Puja 2026
We are pleased to announce the details of this year’s Saraswati Puja, taking place on Sunday 25th January from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Swaminarayan Sports World.
Please join us for an afternoon of devotion, learning, and community as we come together to celebrate and seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati
Location address:
Swainarayan Sports World
Blake Hall Road, London E11 2QW
Free parking available on site
Durga Puja
In 2025 we celebrated our 50th year of organising Durga Puja in London. Here are some photos from our archives from the very first few years
Gallery
Take a look at some memorable moments from our recent past events
