Durga Puja is widely celebrated in different parts of West Bengal including Kolkata. There are a few thakurbaris where Maa Durga is worshipped for centuries. One such place is Khetrapal Thakurbari in Khardah in North Parganas district where Devi Durga is worshipped for a number of centuries.
Khardah has a number of temples – the most prominent among them are Shyamsundar Mandir, Khardah and 26 Shiv Mandir, Khardah . Khetrapal Thakurbari at Rashkhola Road, Khardah is a place where the puja is being held for more than six centuries.
According to Shri Tapas Kumar Bhattacharjee, in 2022 the puja was 609th year and their ancestors were Neul and Bheul who started the puja. One has to enter through an old gate and will come across a thakurdalan where Maa Durga is worshipped. Kathamo puja is held on Rathayatra. The puja is held following the rituals mentioned in Kalikapuran. The puja here starts from pratipad. Bodhan is held on Sasthi. The weapons of Maa Durga are all made of brass. Earlier bali or sacrifice was performed but now completely stopped. Presently, fruits are sacrificed. Several unique things are associated with this century-old puja. Firstly, there is a ritual of mahasnan. After Rathayatra, different types of water like sugarcane juice, rainwater, tide water, dew drops, water of seven seas, etc are to be collected in different tithis and stored for Durga Puja. The 108 types of water thus collected, are preserved and will be used during the days of Mahasnan – Saptami, Aastami and Nabami. Darpan or mirror and the nabapatrika are bathed with this special water.
Second unique thing of this puja is Sandhi puja. Apart from the rituals of Sandhi puja, two rare things are offered to the goddess – mango and jackfruit (vegetable) – which are hard to find during this time of the year. Apart from annabhog, kichuri, bhaji, payesh and sweets are offered to Devi Durga. Khetarpal is worshipped round the year. During the days of the puja, Khetrapal prefers to remain awake rather does not go in for sleep till biswarjan of the ghat in Dasami. It is also unique.
Special thanks to Shri Tapas Kumar Bhattacharjee.
Going there: The thakurbari can be reached both by road and rail. The nearest railway station is Khardah on Sealdah-Barrackpore section of Eastern Railway. Get down at Khardah station and take an auto or a toto to reach there. Alternately, if you are coming by road from Shyambazar via Barrackpore Trunk Road (B.T Road) take any bus going to Barrackpore and get down at Khardah and from there take a toto to reach there. If you are coming by metro rail, the nearest metro station is Baranagar Road. From there you make take an auto and reach Khardah.
Date of posting: 8th October, 2024.
Blog of Kinjal Bose 