Your morning briefing for Sunday, October 11: European royalty draws cheers at a Bengali festival in Times Square, a full day of ritual and culture unfolds in Manhattan, and the city’s diversity takes center stage.
The Headline
H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe and his mother, Dr. Antonia Prinzessin zu Schaumburg-Lippe, were celebrated as royal celebrity speakers at the second annual Sharadiya Durga Puja in Times Square on Saturday, presented by the Times Square Durga Utsav Association. The crowd greeted them with warm applause.
What Happened
Morning: The day opened with Chandi recitation by Satyam Ray Chowdhury, followed by Gaane Stotre Mahalaya directed by Riddhi Bandyopadhyay, with a chorus under Mohitosh Talukdar Tapas. A poetry recitation set the stage for the rituals.
Midday: At 12:30, the Puja rituals began. Devi Bodhan, the invocation of Goddess Durga, was followed by Adhibas, Shashthi Puja, and Maha Saptami, guided by Priest Prabhas Chakraborty. Pushpanjali flower offerings and prasad distribution followed, along with a Bhagavad Gita recitation directed by Sutipa Chowdhury.
Afternoon: The cultural program featured Sangeet Sadhana under Malabika Chatterjee, Naba Ananda Jago with its ensemble cast, performances by Shubhra and Shweta Goswami, Adda’s Anjali, and a dance by Sivanshi Chatterjee Mohanty.
Evening: Dash Maha Vidya, a 60-performer dance production by Nrityanjali choreographed by Chandra Banerjee, anchored the night, followed by a Mekhla Das Gupta concert. President Sasadhar Howlader spoke. Nirupama Saha gave thanks.
Who Was There
Anupam Dutta, the association’s guest relations chair, personally welcomed the royals. The families have been close friends for years.
Supporters acknowledged: Mayor Zohra Mamdani, the Consuls General of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand, Ashok Rakshit, Milan Aon, Jai Prakash Biswas, Chair Mridul Pathak, Host Dr. Kallol Basu. Partners included Asha for Education.
The Royals
Prince Mario-Max was introduced as His Highness and Excellency Global Peace Ambassador, working royal, award-winning television and event host, Bertelsmann Random House author, public speaker, and philanthropist. He is the son of H.H. Dr.h.c. Prince Waldemar and H.H. Dr. Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe, grandson of H.R.H. Princess Feodora of Denmark, of the Royal Danish Nachod Line, the founding family of Hamburg, Lubeck, and Kiel.
Princess Antonia appeared alongside him with poise and warmth.
Why It Matters
Second annual events are where traditions prove they can last. The Times Square Durga Utsav Association is building something durable: a public celebration of South Asian heritage at the center of American civic life, greeted by mayors, diplomats, and royalty alike. Watch this space next October.
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