Bonedi Barir pujo

Bonedi Barir pujo

 The Rich legacy of Bengal can be seen at Bonedi Barir puja. What I understood Bonedi means rich and related to heritage. In undivided Bengal, Rich Zamindars had a luxurious lifestyle. Centuries later due to Abolishment of zamindari pratha after Independence, the lifestyle is not there, but these families still come together from all corners of World during Durga puja to relive the glorified past of their rundown palatial house which still has a hint of opulent time.

Pandal hopping is famous during Durga Puja where one visits different Pandals but overlook these privately held pujas.Since many years different tour operators and West Bengal tourism organise tours to these affluent household pujas which are about 200 years old, where one gets to know the rich heritage and see puja organised with same nitty-gritty and dedication

Although I stayed in Kolkata for four years, I never had a chance to visit a Rajbari puja. After leaving Kolkata, Goddess again beckoned me this year and I was lucky to visit few Rajbari puja. This year with Elegant Tours,  my friends and I got the opportunity to see the culture and heritage of Bengal through a customised tour. A beautiful lady who was our guide took us to different pujas of Northern Kolkata.

As a non-Bengali person whatever I could catch with my camera and information through the net about these pujas I will be describing below.

DUTTA BARI PUJO –Bidhan Sarani                                                                                    

Dutta Bari puja is over 200 years old. Durga is seen on the lap of Shiva with no arms, no Vahana and without any Asur or Demon. This is known as “Hara Gouri” or “Shib Durga” Idol.

The idol was very typical and mesmerising. The whole atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm. The women of Datta Household were dressed in full attire and were moving around with complete elegance.

CHATU BABU LATU BABU- BARIR PUJO- Bedon street

This puja started in 1770 by Shri. Ramdulal Dey and after his demise, his lineage is carried by his sons who are fondly called as Chatu babu and Latu babu. Now, this Beadon street  puja is famous with the same name. The walls were adorned with photos of the famous musician who has given performances within these pillars. One can feel the music played by these maestros within the walls of Bari.

DARJIPARA MITRA BARI PUJA

The street known as Neelmani Mitra street has this big house which adorns this puja. The house is very simple and sober looking but reflecting the era of splendour. Neelmani Mitra's grandson Radhakrishna  re-established the puja in 1807 and brought back the fortune. This puja is one of the renowned pujas of its time.

The idol was also very different from other barowari pujas, while all the Durga idols are always riding the lion, this one was on Devsingha. Devsingha is essentially a combination of a horse and a lion. It symbolizes the speed of a stallion and strength of a lion.

SHOVA BAZAR RAJBARI PUJA

Shovabazar Rajbari is one of the palaces of Royals of Kolkata

Raja Nabakrishna Deb was the patron of this Durga Puja. This Durga Puja was started in October 1757 in newly built Thakur Dalan and completed its 250 years in 2006. Even after 250 years, this puja is being performed by his descendants at the same Thakur dalan .The procedure of the rituals and ceremonies follow the scriptures of the "Brihadnandikeshwar Puran" and the rites have remained unchanged since the beginning of this Puja. A curious feature of the idol is that the Lion, the archetypical carrier of Devi Durga resembles more a horse (Unicorn) than a lion. All the effigies are built of 'Sola Pith' work on a single frame, a style popularly known as "daker Saj"or “Ekchala” in Bengal. This historic Thakur dalan is purified by glorious presence of personalities like sadhok Ramprosad Deb , Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa ji. Swami Vivekananda was felicitated here after his return from Chicago at World religious conference. The Shovabazar Rajbari organizes two different pujas at two different addresses; one being held at the house of Gopi Mohan Deb and the other, at the ancestral house of Rajkrishna Dev. An extremely popular cultural extravaganza is an intrinsic part of this puja and holds a special attraction for the visitors.

Music artist sitting in galleries , playing soulful music

Annual homecoming of Durga is not only remembrance of golden past but an inheritance of sentimental affair. Once grandiose celebration has lost some hue but life still brings out colours in those 9 days of Devi-Paksha. Its interesting to visit these Rajbari puja’s once without disturbing the piousness of the festival.

Until the early part of the 20^th century, it was the status symbol of stalwarts and rich families of Kolkata , who made fortune by working with Britishers or doing a business with them, to organise Puja and invite VIP guests. Gradually worshipping Goddess Durga was not confined to rich houses only and local people belonging to some Para(area) started performing puja in the name of Sarbojanin puja which started to other areas and now is a national event.