The Bengalee Belief

Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati a descendant of Bramha. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. Daksha organised a sacrifice and the attendees came from various parts of the universe. He invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son in law Shiva. Against Shiva's wishes, Sati attended this sacrifice and was insulted by her father and cousins. Unable to bear this insult, Sati immolated herself.

Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, cut off Daksha's head and when pleaded by other gods, replaced it with that of a goat and restored him to life. Still berserk with grief, he picked up the remains of Sati's body, and danced the dance of destruction throughout the Universe. The other gods intervened to stop this dance, and then the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu cut through the corpse of Sati, whose various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed the sites of what today are known as Shakti Peethas today.

Shiva was finally pacified when the last piece fell off from his shoulder. Narayana revived sati as Uma for a new life. Ever since peace was restored, Uma, with her children, Ganesh and Kartick and with her two 'Sakhis' - Jaya and Bijaya, comes to visit her parent's home each year during the season of 'Sharat' or autumn when Durga Puja is celebrated.

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Akalbodhan

The worship of Devi Durga in the month of Ashwin is called 'Akalbodhan'- an uncustomary time for commencement of the worship. Hence this puja is called Akalbodhon.

In the 'Ramayana', Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga. He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with one hundred 'NeelKamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotus. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him. The battle started on the 'Saptami' and Ravana was finally killed on the 'Sandhikshan' i.e. the crossover period between Ashtami (the next day) and Navami (the day after). Ravana was cremated on Dashami. Since the period of this worship was different from the conventional period (during the spring - 'Basanta'), this puja is also known as 'Akal-Bodhan' or a worship (Bodhan) in an unconventional time (A-Kaal).

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Sarbojanin (Barowari) Durga Puja

Durga Puja is the most awaited festival of West Bengal, spanning over four days at a stretch. It is not possible for everyone in the community to organize it of their own. A Durga Puja is organized by a group of people in a locality thence being known as Sarbojanin Durga Puja.

Initially, Durga Puja was celebrated only in affluent and zamindar families of West Bengal. Then Barowari Puja came into existence. The word "Baroyari" is derived from "Baro" and "Yaar" ie. a group of twelve friends. Guptipara in Hoogly was the first place in Bengal where the idea of "Baroyari" or "Sarbojanin" puja was conceived in the year 1790. It took 120 yrs. for "Baroyari" Durga Puja to reach Calcutta. The first organiser of "Baroyari" Durga Puja in Calcutta was "Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha" of Behala, Shakher Bazar. The overwhelming enthusiasm and participation of common people increased the number of "Baroyari" Durga Puja through out the state.

With lapse of time, the Barowari Puja was renowned as Sarbojanin Durga Puja. The word Sarbojanin comprises of two words: “Sarbo” in Bengali (Sanskrit) meaning “for all” and “Jan” meaning “people”. So the word Sarbojanin means For All People. The Sarbojanin Puja understands no restrictions in respect of Colour, Creed, Caste or Class. The “Bhog” distributed after Puja is taken as a blessing of Goddess Durga with equality and compassion. 

During Durga Puja, entire streets of West Bengal are covered by Huge Structures called “Pandal”. It is a structure made of bamboos and cloth, used as a temporary enclave for the Goddess. Each Pandal has its own theme based on current affairs, historic events, work of fiction, work of Art or of any other innovative ideas. These Pujas are organized by committee which represents certain group of people or locality. The expense of the Puja is raised by collecting funds known as “Chandaa” through door-to-door visit, concert, advertisements etc. 

On the time of Puja, the Ritual drummers – “Dhakis” carrying large leather-strung Dhak – show off their skills during ritual dance worships called Aarati. The Puja is performed traditionally in these Pandals. Many idols in Pandals are bought from Kumartoli, were the artisans live situated in North Calcutta.

Sarbojanin Durgotsav, as we know it today, started off much later in Kolkata, in the 1920s, with Shimla Byayam Samiti and Bagbazar being the earliest.  In 1926, Atindranath Bose commenced ‘Sarbojanin’ Durga puja in which anybody, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, could participate in the festivities. This was organized to instill a feeling of unity and brotherhood. At present hundreds of Pujas are held in the city’s lanes and streets.

The puja in recent years are more focused on lighting and decoration. They spend Lakhs of money to make their Pandals an Award-winning one. The communities have different prizes for different categories such as Best Puja, Best Idol, Best Pandal, Best Lighting etc. 

This form of Puja is also flourished in other states and countries of the world.

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Traditional Family Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal since the Medieval Period, also known as the period of Mughal Empires. In 16^th Century the Durga Puja was held in the Court of Rajshahi, and in Nadia District in 18^th Century. However, in 18^th Century it became popular. 

The Zamindar families of the city are quietly carrying on with their traditions, some of which started hundreds of years ago. By mid of 18th Century, the national festival of the Bengalis became an occasion for the rich Babus of Kolkata to flaunt their wealth. It became a religious splurge among the Babu's of Bengal, to measure the supremacy of one over the other. The first Durga Puja seems to have been celebrated by Bhabananda, the ancestor of Maharaja Krishnachandra of Nadia, in or about 1606. The family puja of the Sabarno Roychoudhuris of Barisha dates back to 1610 – the oldest in Calcutta, and conducted even today in a highly traditional style. The traditional household Durga Pujas gained prominence because of their deep and passionate devotion to Goddess Durga.

The puja at Shovabazar Rajbari, is among the oldest Pujas in the city, organised by Raja Nabakrishna Deb of the Sobhabazar of Calcutta in honor of Lord Clive in the year 1757. The puja was organized because Clive wished to pay thanks for his victory in the Battle of Plassey. He was unable to do so in a Church because the only church in Calcutta at that time was destroyed by Siraj-ud-Daulah.

Some of the other significant Pujas are the 250 yrs. old Durga Puja in Dhar family residence in Bikrampur of undivided Bengal still continues in Ashoknagar. The Bikrampur's Hasara village in Bangladesh in 1775 A.D. and still continues till date in their Bagbazar residence. An incident changed the heartless rituals of sacrifice in the Dhar family. Kashinath Dhar was the zamindar of Bikrampur then. He performed Durga Puja at his residence with full traditional rituals. Ashtami was the sacrifice day. It was during the time when human sacrifice was common and was considered the most important part of the Puja. It was on this day the 'Kharna' (weapon used to sacrifice) landed on the child's head, left the child unharmed. With repeated attempts the result remained the same. There was a commotion and when the news reached the zamindar, he fell unconscious. On regaining his consciousness he tearfully prayed the Goddess asking her the reason for the omen. Durga then appeared before him and asked him to stop sacrifices and told him she had placed her hand over the child's neck to protect it and has wiped her hand in a cloth, which is behind the idol. On hearing this, the zamindar rushed to the mandap and found the blood stained cloth. Henceforth, sacrifice was stopped in the Dhar family Puja. Durga Puja took a complete social turn when it started being organized by the common people.

The Ghosh family came to Pathuriaghata at the time of Warren Hastings. It is said that Warren Hastings and his wife visited the Ghosh family. Khelat Chandra Ghosh (1829-1878), grandson of Hasting’s banyan (clerk) Ramlochan Ghosh, shifted out of the old family house at 46 Pathuriaghata Street to a new house at 47 Pathuriaghata Street. The family made remarkable contribution in music and charity. The Family Durga Puja is celebrated still in a traditional way. Gobinda Ram Mitra's of Kumartuli started their Puja in 1800. Samir Dasgupta's household Durga Puja commenced in 1839, in Batajor village in Barishal in Bangaldesh. The tradition still continues till date in Srimani Para Lane residence in Baranagar. Sacchidananda Chatterjee continues with his 200 yr. old household Durga Puja at his residence in Brahma Samaj Road. Other Famliy Pujas like Krishnadeb of Sobhabazar, Mitra Family of Chorbagan, the Seal family of Chorbagan from 1856, Srimani family of Sukia street, traditional Durga Puja at Rani Rashmoni's residence and Kaliprasanna Singha's Family Puja.

All these Family Puja are still carried on in Traditional way. Some of the fragmented Families who are not united today, passed on the responsibility of Puja to their Munims to carry on with their family’s tradition.

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Housing/Apartment/Complex Durga Puja

Today in Kolkata people like to reside in Housing Complexes, Apartments or Enclaves. These Housing complexes consist of different blocks consisting of numerous flats. The housing complexes provide many amenities to their residents.

The Complexes in Kolkata organizes Durga Puja festival at large scale. The residents of all streams of religion and caste become united to put their common endeavor to make the Puja a big success. The Puja is organized by collecting funds from the residents of that particular Apartment.

The artists start with making of the Goddess Durga’s Pratima in the premises of the complexes, before a month to Puja.  The Pandal is made in the Campus of the Complex. The Puja is celebrated in a traditional way. 

On the days of Puja different events are held: Such as drawing competition for children, quiz competition, dance competition, Dhunuchi Naach and many other events. In many complexes on the days of “Ashtami”, Bhog is served for lunch. 

The Complex gets lightened up and the residents come to attend Puja in their fineries.  The Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show in all Housing Complexes of Kolkata.

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