During Durga Puja festival at Bengal the star attraction are the different Barowari Pujas conducted by several clubs and associations. Generally overlooked by the Pandal hoppers are the Durga Pujas held privately in several families some of whom were affluent and stalwarts in yesteryear, especially during the Colonial Regime. These families till date perform Durga Puja with dedication maintaining all the rituals. The Pujas are all of 100+ years, some even 200+ and 300+ years old. Every one of the families gathers to celebrate Durga Puja with pomp and show as an annual get-together.

Let’s take a look at some of the Bonedi Bari Pujas:

 

BAISHNABDAS MALLICK FAMILY’S DURGA PUJA

Address

32 Darpanarayan Tagore Street, Kolkata – 700006

Location

(Coming from Girish Park, you have to walk quite a bit as it is an one way. After Crossing Rabindra Sarani, you will find Jadulal Mallick Road on your right. Enter the lRoad as then again take a left turn to enter Darpanaryan Street. The Mallick Bari will fall in your left.

Specialty

If you are not intersted in walking, use the driving directions given to reach Khelat Ghosh’s house ( Serial no 8). Drive straight through Jadulal Mallick Road and you will reach Darpanarayan Tagore Street on your right.)

The Durga Puja of Baishnab Das Mallick’s house is 235 years old. Originating from Chinsurah, Baishnab Das Mallick was Gold Merchant and later went into Real Estate too. The Durga Puja was started by him in 1785 after he saw the Goddess in his dream. The huge Mallick Residence has a large courtyard. The most interesting thing about the Durga Idol of this house is that there is no Lakhsmi and Saraswati Idol here, but two Jaya and Bijoya idols which are not only taller than Kartick and Ganesh idols and but they are taller than the Durga Idol too. Goddess Durga is seated here on the lap of Shiva.

NARASIMHA DAWN FAMILY’S PUJO

Address

20 Vivekananda Road, Kolkata – 700006

Location

(Just a few steps before Rabindra Sarani, while coming from Girish Park. The house falls on your left on the road. There is only two three houses between Shibkrishna Dawn Lane and Narasingha Dawn’s House. For Driving directions use the same instructions given in Jorasanako Dawn House (Serial No 9) )

Specialty

Descendants from Kotulpur in Bankura, the family of Narasingh Chandra Dawn celebrates Durga Puja from 1859 which was inaugurated by late Late Nandalal Daw. In Early Days, the family did trading on spices. At present they are leading Gun Makers and Merchants.

 

HAATKHOLA DUTTA BARIR PUJA

Address

78, Nimtala Ghat Street, Kolkata – 700006

Location

(From Central Avenue , you have to take a turn at Dani Ghosh lane – extension Of Beadon Street and drive straight. Cross Rabindra Sarani and drive straight into Nimtala Ghat Street just like street direction of Khelat Bhawan (Serial no 8). Only in this case you do not turn left. Instead you drive straight crossing a huge ruin on your right (which was once Scottish Church School). The Dutta Bari will fall on your right. )

Specialty

Hatkhola Dutta House was constructed by Dewan Jagataram Dutta in the late eighteenth century. His Grandfather Ramchandra Datta was employed in East India Comapany’s Export import Division in Patna Warehouse. A very conservative family who stayed away from the usual frivolities of wasting money has been carrying their Durga Puja since last 200 years.

 

CHATUBABU LATUBABU FAMILY’S DURGA PUJA

Address

“Ramdulal Nibas”, 67E Beadon Street ( Alias Dani Ghosh Street), North Kolkata

Location

(At the crossing of Dani Ghosh Street (extension of Beadon Street after Hedua) and Central Avenue. The location is so prominent that you cannot simply miss this house. )

Specialty

At his Beadon street residence,Ram Dulal Dey (Deb Sarkar) started organising Durga Puja from the year 1770. He was the first Bengali entrepreneur who became a millionaire. After his demise, the Puja was carried on by his sons Asuthosh Dey (Deb Sarkar) and Pramatha Nath Dey (Deb Sarkar), more commonly known as ‘Chatu babu and Latu babu’ which continues by his grandson Anath Nath Dey(Deb Sarkar).The highlight of the idol is presence of Jaya and Bijaya, the two companions of Parvati, who flank Durga poised on lotuses. They have no Veena or Pot but just have their hand raised

 

DARJIPARAR MITRA BARI

Address

19, Nilmani Mitra Street & 42, Beadon Row, North Kolkata

Location

( Walking on a few meters on Jatindra Mohan Avenue ( alias Central avenue) from Chatu Babu Laltu Babu’s house towards Sovabazar, Nilmani Mitra street falls in the right direction. The First house is the massive building Of the Mitras with a large and maintained Thakur Dalan, while the second is a small house with a small run down Thakururdalan)

Specialty

The palatial building of Mitras came into existence during the times of Durgacharan Mitra who had several business including being court jeweller of Nawab Siraj -ud -Daulah. His Nephew Nilmani Mitra continued the legacy. Later the family’s condition declined. but Nilmani Mitra’s grandson Radhakrishna bought back fortune in the family. It was Radhakrishna who started Durga Puja in 1807. This used to be one of the three top Banedi Pujas of Kolkata along with Jorasnako Dawn Bari and Sova bazar Rajbari. The rituals are interesting and very meticulously followed.

Durga Puja has arrived. Durga, the goddess of power and strength, is perhaps the most important goddess of the Hindus. She is a multi-dimensional goddess, with many names, many personas, and many facets. As Mahishasuramardini or Shakti, she is the destroyer of evil, the triumphant slayer of the demon Mahishasura. As Kali, she turns black as the night, terrible in rage and fury, goddess of time and empowerment. As Parvati, she is the demure and pretty consort of Lord Shiva. She is Bhawani, the symbol of life, she is Sati, the object of death, she is Basanti, the herald of springtime. She is also Amba, Jagadhatri, Tara, Ambika and Annapurna. Durga, through all her forms, encompasses the essence of salvation and sacrifice.

But my favourite interpretation of Durga Puja and Maa Durga is ‘women’s shakti’. There are so many examples that I could site from different fields, be it sport, medicine or even the corporate world. But the example I would like to share with you is from politics.

Though, only 11% of India’s MPs are women, the Women’s Reservation Bill proposes to take this number to 33.33%. We are extremely proud yet humbled that the percentage of women MPs in the Trinamool Congress is a healthy 35%.

The lady who helped us cross this threshold is my colleague Mamatabala Thakur, who was elected from Bongaon, in January this year.

For me, the story of the by-elections for the Bongaon parliamentary seat and the Krishnaganj assembly seat, earlier this year, was about women’s power in politics. This is not just a reference to Mamata Banerjee, our stalwart leader, who has fought the onslaught of two successive governments at the Centre and emerged vindicated, but also of our Party’s culture of empowering women down the line.

The by-election was necessitated when our MP, Kapil Krishna Thakur, passed away in October 2014. He was a leading light of the Matua community, and there were many contenders for his seat of Bongaon. His brother was a Trinamool MLA and minister in the state government, who resigned and joined the BJP, as did his brother’s son. Now both father and son were contenders for the BJP nomination, with the son – nephew of the late Kapil Krishna Thakur – finally getting the ticket.

Who would the Matua community back? Would it stay true to Trinamool or would it swing with that section of the Thakur family that had defected to the BJP? The decision was taken by Mamata Banerjee and the 95-year-old matriarch of the Matua community, Binapani Devi, the “Great Mother” of the Matua people, ageing but still sharp as a needle. Rather than back her son or grandson in the BJP – or even her second surviving son (Kapil Krishna Thakur’s other brother) – a new name was proposed: Mamatabala Thakur, the late Kapil Krishna Thakur’s wife.

The lady, a newcomer to politics, who was very aware of the social and economic conditions and challenges among her constituents, won easily. The Matua community, with its origins in a religious reform movement in erstwhile east Bengal, taught a few lessons in women’s shakti and in consistent, principled politics to city-slicker media honchos, who had all but announced a BJP victory.

During Durga Puja festival at Bengal the star attraction are the different Barowari Pujas conducted by several clubs and associations. Generally overlooked by the Pandal hoppers are the Durga Pujas held privately in several families some of whom were affluent and stalwarts in yesteryear, especially during the Colonial Regime. These families till date perform Durga Puja with dedication maintaining all the rituals. The Pujas are all of 100+ years, some even 200+ and 300+ years old. Every one of the families gathers to celebrate Durga Puja with pomp and show as an annual get-together.

Let’s take a look at some of the Bonedi Bari Pujas:

 

BEHALA JAGAT RAM MUKHERJEE’S FAMILY PUJA

 

Address

56 Bramho Samaj Road, Behala, Kolkata

Location

Near Behala Tram Depot

Specialty

Jagat Ram Mukherji original hailed from Barrackpur. He had a second marriage in the Haldar Family and settled in Behala in 1740. He had one daughter and four sons from this marriage. Once his daughter along with his nephews went to visit the Durga Puja of his maternal uncle house – the Haldar Family. She was not properly attended there and so being insulted she returned back home and asked his father Jagat Ram Mukherji to conduct Durga Puja at his home. It was Navami, the penultimate day of Durga Puja, so instead of worshiping an idol, symbolic Ghot Puja was done. From next year till 1867 Clay idol of Goddess Durga was worshiped in this house.In 1868, Jyotinath Mukherjee – great grandson of Jagat Ram made Durga idol of Gold, which is being worshiped till date.

RANI RASHMONI FAMILY’S DURGA PUJAS

Address

13 Rani Rashmoni Road, 18/3 S.N. Banerjee Road and 18 Rani Rashmoni Road

Location

(At Janbazaar at the crossing of Rani Rashmoni road and S.N. Banerjee Road. One end of Rani Rashmoni Road lands at Lenin Sarani, while the other part extends into Mirza Ghalib Street alias Free School Street. Driving through this street takes you to Park Srteet. There are two houses here. One on S.N. Banerjee Road and the other on Rani Rashmoni Road)

Specialty

Founder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and a pillar of strength in the male dominated society, Rani Rashmoni started Durga Puja at her S.N. Banerjee Road residence. After her death in in 1861, his sons-in-law and daughters continued Durga Puja celebrations in their respective premises.In the S.N. Banerjee Road house the festival is celebrated by two families while at Rani Rashmoni Road house, Puja is celebrated by one family.

PATHURIAGHATA KHELAT GHOSH’S DURGA PUJA

Address

47 Pathuria Ghata Street, North Kolkata

Location

(Pathuriaghata Street is the opposite lane to Lohia Matri Sadan on Rabindra Sarani. At the entrance of the lane is the Pancher Pally Puja Pandal. Walk straight and you will reach the massive Khelat Bhawan on your left. Alternatively if you are coming by car it is better that you enter through Dani Ghosh Sarani (alias Beadon Street’s extension) from Central Avenue. Cross Rabindra Sarani(which is one way) and enter into Nimatala Ghat Street. Drive a bit and then you will get Baishnab Sett Lane on your left which later merges into Jadulal Mallick Lane. Enter the lane and you will shortly get Pathuriaghata Street on your left. Walking from this end you will get Khelat Bhawan on your right.)

Specialty

The Thakurdalan of Khelatchandra Ghosh’s House is one of the largest such structure in Kolkata, if not THE Largest. Apart from having a 85 feet long corridor of Marble, this premises showcases a grand dancing hall, which has been converted into Khelat Ghosh Memorial Hall.The premises was planned and designed was made by German architecture company, Martin & Burn. Apart from being a Diwan in Warren Hastings Court, Khelat Chandra Ghosh was known for his philanthropic and cultural activities.

JORASANKO DAWN HOUSE

Address

12A Shibkrishna Dawn Lane , North Kolkata

Location

(Near Girish Park. Walking towards Rabindra Sarani on Vivekananda Road, this lane originates on your left just after no 24A Vivekananda Road. It is better to walk here from Girish park as it is one way. If you are coming by car, you need to come the same way as mentioned in road direction of Khelat Ghosh’s house (Serial no 8), drive straight through Jadulal Mallick Lane and reach Kali Krishna Tagore Street. Turn left and drive towards Girish Park under the shadow on unfinished Vivekananda Road Flyover. Cross Rabindra Sarani and you will get Shibkrishna Dawn Lane. You have to park your car and walk into the narrow lane to reach the Collosal Dawn house )

Specialty

A successful businessman Gokul Chandra Dawn of Satgachia came to reside at Jorasanko. Here He adopted Shibkrishna Dutta, his relatives son as his own. On this occasion, Gokul Chandra Dawn celebrated Durga Puja in 1840. From then the tradition has been carried on by Shibkrishna Dawn and later his descendents till date. Shibkrishna Dawn built up a Coalliary and had major contribution in building up Rail Lines. The Thakurdalan and the courtyard is huge and has been shooting venue of many a films. It is said that Goddess Durga comes to wear her Jeweleries at the Jorasanko Dawn House. The reason being Gold ornaments in large quantity to decorate the Chalchitra along with Ornaments of diamonds and emeralds were brought from Europe.

BALARAM DEY STREET DUTTA BARIR PUJA (Also Known as BALARAM DEY STREET GHOSH BARI PUJO)

Address

159, Balaram De Street Kolkata , North Kolkata

Location

(Near Girish Park Metro Station. Walking towards Sovabazar from Girish Park, Balaram Dey Street Falls on your left just after the Metro Station. Balaram Dey Street can also be approached from Kali Krishna Tagore Street. The other end of Balaram Dey Street is just opposite to the Shibkrishna Dawn Lane )

Specialty

Initiated by Shyamal Dhon Dutta, a Solicitor of High Court with roots in Hath Khola Dutta Bari in the year 1882, the Puja is presently carried by 6th descendent of the family. The house is known for following many ancient rituals including carrying idols on bamboos like old days instead of taking them on truck. Sandhi Puja and Baran on Dasami of this house is a delight to watch.