Sudarshan’s learning of puja rituals primarily came from his father and grandfather. He watched his grandfather perform various pujas from a young age. Later, when his grandfather stopped performing pujas, requests came to his father to conduct them. After Sudarshan’s upanayana ceremony, he also started accompanying his father. Sudarshan says his father never took on too many pujas at once. He would complete each one meticulously before starting the next. His father always said that puja cannot be performed without a calm and focused mind. Therefore, it should never be rushed. Sudarshan says “When I perform pujas myself, I also realize that sincere devotion is the most important thing. Regardless of the rituals or materials, if you have devotion, the puja is successful”. He is happy that he has been able to help the Bengali community in Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts maintain their heritage, here in America, and cherishes his association with BARI.