Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys (Rajbari) in Murshidabad district of West Bengal houses a beautiful chandimandap where Goddess Durga is worshipped for about 290 years. Here Durga Puja is a grand affair. It starts from pratipad.
I was pretty lucky to witness the puja in 2024 as I stayed at the Rajbari. The Rajbari has now been converted into a heritage hotel where one can stay and witness the puja, The temple complex was built during the Mughal era. The family deity of the Roys is Radha Govinda which is worshipped on a daily basis since 1735. About a decade later the bhog mandir was built. There is a pancha mundir aashana or the sacred bedi where the deity will be placed on the day of pratipad.
The protima is built in the chandimandap and the kathamo puja is held on the auspicious day of Rathayatra. The puja is held following the ancient ritual of the installation of the sacred ghat and the water is taken from Kati Ganga, which was the “main flowing course” of the river Bhagirathi. Apart from Durga Puja other pujas are also held like Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Kartick Puja, Saraswati Puja, Dolyatra, Annapurna Puja and the Rathayatra.
The idol of goddess Durga is of traditional ekchala but unique. The colour of the goddess is yellowish orange; that of Lord Ganesh is red; Mahisasura is green and the lion looks like a horse (ghotok singha). The lighted chandeliers on both sides of the chandimandap creates a wonderful yet royal ambience. With the commencement of pratipad, the day after Mahalaya, chandipath starts. The bodhan, amantran and adhibas takes place on Panchami or Sasthi. Kumari Puja is held here. Previously there was animal sacrifice but now it is stopped completely. Fish, different types of sweets, luchi are offered to Devi Durga. Aparajita puja is held on Dasami and the goddess is immersed in the evening.
On each and every day of the puja there is a cultural programme in the evening at the courtyard facing the chandimandap which is an added attraction.
Going there: The best way to reach Cossimbazar is by train. Board the morning Hazarduari Express from Kolkata station and get down at Berhampore. Hire an auto or toto and reach Cossimbazar Rajbari which is roughly about six kilometres. However it can also be reached by road.
Special thanks to Shri Pallab Roy
Date of posting: 15th October, 2026.
