Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

   Durga puja has been started in the Raj family of Seoraphully (Dist. Hooghly) from last Monday (23.09.2019). It is the custom of Raj family that the 'ghot' (ঘট) of 'Bodhan' (বোধন) is to be placed on the auspicious 'tithi' (তিথি) of 'Nabami' of 'Krishna paksha' (কৃষ্ণপক্ষ) before Mahalaya (মহালয়া). In pursuance of that custom, they placed the 'ghot' of 'Bodhan' on Monday last. Debi Durga is here 'Sarbamangala' (সর্বমঙ্গলা). The deity Durga is being worshipped in this family for the last 286 years. The preacher (পুরোহিত) placed the 'ghot' with chant of 'mantras' (মন্ত্র) and 'stotras' (স্তোত্র). Local people along with Raj family members witnessed the religious function at the 'Thakur dalan' (ঠাকুর দালান) of palace. History says, at Patuli Narayanpur of Barddhaman district, there was the kingdom of Dutta family. They used to maintain relations with Badshah Akbar too. But the Duttas lost th

Bird - free on the sky, the vast field of freedom. The puja committee has chosen this theme inspired by the speciality of making of artistic birds in Varanasi.

Theme of Nalin Sarkar Street is very sensitive and emotional - mentally handicapped childrens are still neglected in our country, normal relatives of them seldom contacts the patients stay in mental development centres. The hapless childrens are often victims of social injustice and negligence. But they need sympathy and concern from their parents, relatives and friends. The puja committee has depicted this social message for all by showing thousands of unattended letters hanging overhead, wheel chairs and many post boxes installed there. Anandabazar Patrika has chosen the Puja as best puja of Kolkata.

The Durga idol of Kumartuli Sarbojanin is excessively good. Anandabazar Patrika has chosen the idol of devi Durga as best among the pujas of north Kolkata. The theme is good too - the profession and distressful life of clay artists of Patua para (Kumartuli) is depicted here in the puja pandal. Soumitra Chattopadhyay - the veteran actor and poet has narrated the life of a clay artist or 'Poto'.

Yesterday, on Panchami, I went to North Kolkata to see the Durga Puja there. At first I visited Ahiritola Sarbojanin. The unique pandal is very gorgeous. The idol of Devi Durga is unique too. And beautiful.