Blog of Kinjal Bose

Daily worshipped Durga idols of Kolkata Part-4

Durga Puja is not celebrated as barowari pujas, but it is equally worshipped in households. That apart there are still a number of houses and temples in Kolkata where Maa Durga is worshipped round the year. Previously in October 2023 I have included 14 such places in Kolkata where the goddess is worshipped on a daily basis. In this post I shall include two more – one in Baghajatin and the other in Baghbazar.

Temple of Ichai Ghosh, Paschim Barddhaman

The Temple of Ichai Ghosh in Gourangapur village of Kanksa block in Durgapur subdivision of Paschim Barddhaman district is a protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Kolkata Circle. This brick-built temple of “large smooth curvilinear” type of rekha deul is located on the southern bank of River Ajay.

Durga Puja of Beliaghata Sarkar Bari

Maa Durga is worshipped in many bonedi houses of West Bengal including Calcutta (now Kolkata). The bonedi houses are there in north, central and south Kolkata. But Sarkar Bari situated at 69, Beliaghata Main Road, Kolkata – 700010 happens to be one of the few houses of East Kolkata where Durga Puja is celebrated in a grand way from 1892 onwards at their thakurdalan.

Durga Puja of Mitra Bari, Antpur, Hooghly

Durga Puja is celebrated in many places of West Bengal of which Mitra Bari at Antpur in Hooghly district is famous not only as because it is being held for more than three centuries but because the puja is held in a dochala type of chandimandap made of wood with superb wooden works of not only gods and goddesses but also floral designs which exists till date.

Durga Puja of Khetrapal Thakurbari, Khardah

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.

Durga Puja of Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family

Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bengalees is widely celebrated not only in West Bengal but also in different parts of the country and as well as in overseas where there is the presence of Bengali community. In West Bengal, Maa Durga is not only worshipped in barowari puja pandals but also in bonedi households. There are many such families where Devi Durga is worshipped following the age-old rituals. One such family is the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family where the goddess is worshipped in eight households – six in Barisha and the rest two one in Birati and in Nimta.

Durga Puja of Chakdighi Baganbati

Durga Puja is being celebrated in many bonedi households of West Bengal for centuries. Last year (2023) I paid a visit to Chakdighi Baganbati after visiting the Dasghara. Dasghara is in Dhaniakhali block of Hooghly district while Chakdighi located roughly a little more than seven kilometres from Dasghara is in Jamalpur block of Purba Barddhaman district.

Durga Puja of Chaudhuri Bari, Amadpur

Durga Puja is celebrated both in barowari puja pandals and in bonedi households of West Bengal. There are many pujas which are pretty old and are being celebrated till now with pomp and splendour following the rituals. One such household is Chaudhuri Bari of Amadpur in Memari in Purba Barddhaman district.

Beltala Ghosh Thakurbari

Janmastami is a festival normally held in the Bengali month of Bhadra (August – September) every year after Jhulanyatra. It is celebrated in many households, temples and even in thakurbaris in and outside Kolkata. One of them is Beltala Ghosh Thakurbari situated at 12, Naresh Mitra Sarani (previously Beltola Road), Kolkata – 26.

Gangeshwar Temple, Baranagar, Murshidabad

Baranagar in Lalbag subdivision of Murshidabad district of West Bengal houses a number of temples – some with exquisite terracotta works of which Gangeshwar Temple of jor bangla type deserves special mention.