Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Durga Puja of Kolkata just indexed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the 16-members meeting of UNESCO held in Paris yesterday. It is a proud moment for not only Bengal, but for entire India. Out of 48 nominations there in the meeting, Durga Puja of Kolkata is the first of its kind in Asia. /> Now, it is proved that Durga Puja of Kolkata is not only a festival, but an emotion of entire nation. All the leaders and common people of the country are very happy to hear this news. /> Durga Puja of Bengal, especially of Kolkata is the biggest festival of the year, we know. But, recently, we witnessed the immersion carnival of Kolkata's Durga Puja at Red Road which was a great success. By organising this carnival - the whole world came to know that Kolkata has an old tradition and heritage of Durga Puja which belongs to Bengal's culture strongly. /> While considering Durga Puja of Kolkata as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the authori

year on 'Shukla Ashtami tithi' (শুক্লা অষ্টমী তিথি) of Bengali month 'Agrahayan' (অগ্রহায়ণ), an ancient fair or 'mela' is organised in the area of Goswami Ghat (গোস্বামীঘাট) of Chandannagar. It is called Khunti Mela. This year, 11th December is the day, when the fair will start. /> On the said day, the annual puja of Radhaballav Jiu (রাধাবল্লভ জিউ) is held there. Jagadish Goswami (জগদীশ গোস্বামী) was the 'Parshod' (পার্শ্বদ) of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (শ্রীচৈতন্য মহাপ্রভু).  Mahaprabhu Shri Chaitanya Dev had given him a cooking spud (খুন্তি) made of brass and silver as a gift. The spud was fixed on a stand. Every year, the spud is being worshipped at Goswami Ghat of Chandannagar on the aforesaid day and a month-long fair or mela is organised there which is popularly known as "Khuntir Mela" (খুন্তির মেলা). /> As per book written by Shri Harihar Sheth, in old days the fair ground used to fill with the amusement of circus, puppet