BJAI- From Ireland’s History Magazine To Chhath Pooja

Ireland has always respected the relationship between Ireland and India. Indians who arrived in Ireland brought their culture, cuisine, and traditions and blended them with the Irish ones. Many of them have also left a significant impact on Irish soil.

Dean Mahomet

Back in 1784, Dean Mahomed, born in Patna, the capital and largest city of Bihar in India, had landed on the shores of Cork, married Jane from the same county, and with his book named “Travels” became the first Indian writer ever published in English.

The travels of Dean Mahomet, written as ‘a series of letters to a friend’, recounted the country he had left behind and the peoples and customs he had encountered while marching across northern India as part of the East India Company’s military conquest. It was the first book written and published by an Indian in English and made him a celebrity of sorts, especially amongst the society élite. 

Later on, he moved to England with his family, opened the first Indian restaurant in England and a chain of spas, and also coined the word shampoo. His travels can be found in History Ireland.

BJAI

In order to bring every person from Bihar Jharkhand living in Ireland to come together on one platform and know each other, celebrate regional festivals, help the community as a whole, and pass on the sense of pride of rich heritage to the next generation BJAI or Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland was formed.

After many years of their formation, BJAI was officially inaugurated by the ex-Ambassador of India to Ireland Mr. Sandip Kumar in presence of Lord Mayor Cllr Seamie Moore on 25 September 2021.

This was a platform for people of Bihar and Jharkhand living in Ireland to interact with each other and integrate with local communities.

BJAI members have been celebrating events such as Ganesh Pooja, Shree Satyanarayan Pooja, organizing family picnics in parks, and so on to ensure the active participation of all their members.

Chhath Puja

BJAI is inviting everyone to the celebration of Chhath Puja at the end of October 2022.

Chhath Puja is a four-day-long festival of great significance and celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm primarily in the states of North India. Nowadays, Chhath Puja is also celebrated across the globe by the northern part of the Indian community. This is the only festival that has been carried on from the Vedic period. Chhath Puja is indelibly associated with nature worship for the well-being of humanity. It is believed that worshipping the sun offers longevity, positivity, prosperity, and well-being.

In order to know more about how to be a part of this event, follow bjaiireland.com.

To book tickets to this event which will be taking place from 30th October to 31st October 2022, click here.