Durga Puja Of Kabiraj Bari Of Kumortuli

Traditional Durga idol is not being worshiped in the Kabiraj Bari of
Kumortuli, within the 'ak chala', on the right side Lakshmi is there
along with Kartick, and Saraswati is with Ganesh on the left side. It
is the family tradition being observed for the last 168 years.

Ganga Prasad Sen was the Kabiraj doctor of Sri Ramakrishna. Thakur
used to call him 'Dhannwantari' (ধন্বন্তরি). The Kabiraj had earned so
many rupees in life, that he initiated Durga puja in his premises with
much pomp and grandeur. Once, month-long jatra, puppet show, bai naach
etc used to organised during Durga puja. Even the famous Gaharjaan
also came to Kolkata to perform at the Kabiraj Bari in the Naach ghar.
Now, the past amusements are no more, but, daily 200-250 persons use
to take meal during Durga puja. The naach ghar is being used for this
purpose. The females of the family use to cook rice, khichri & polao
as 'bhog' on saptami, ashtami, and nabami.

Kabiraj Gangaprasad Sen constituted a Trust and handed over his
ancestral house and earnings to the members of the Trust with a
condition that, every year, Durga puja, Dol utsav and his father
Nilambar Sen's annual rituals and daily pujas of his family gods and
goddesses should be performed. Since then, the traditional pujas are
going on in the house of Kabiraj Gangaprasad Sen at Kumortuli.


--
A. B.

Comments

Unknown said…
Joy maa Durga