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.

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Rash Festival of Mitra Bari, Beleghata

Rashyatra, a three-day festival is held in many households and temples both in and outside Kolkata. It is held in Kartick purnima normally in the month of November. But there is another rashyatra or rash festival popularly known as Chaitra Rash or Baldev’s Rashyatra which is very rare in Kolkata. One such place where it is held in a grand way is Mitra Bari of 143, 146 (main residence of Raja Pitambar Mitra) & 147 Raja Rajendralal Mitra Road, Beleghata, Kolkata – 700010, a Grade – I heritage under Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

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Radhabinod Temple, Joydev Kenduli, Birbhum

The district of Birbhum has a number of terracotta temples of which Radhabinod Temple at Joydev Kenduli in Ilambazar block deserves special mention. This brick-built nabaratna temple houses the idols of Radhabinod and Radhika and has excellent terracotta works on its facade.

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Durga Puja of Sen Bari, Guptipara

Guptipara in Hooghly district of West Bengal is famous for Rathayatra, first barowari puja, terracotta temples and sweets (gupo sandesh). That apart Durga Puja is also held here. Durga Puja of Sen Bari is not only famous but very old. The puja was started way back in 1580 by Shri Ram Sen.

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Durga Puja of Surul Sarkarbari

Durga Puja is celebrated in a grand way in many zamindar houses of West Bengal. I have been travelling to such bonedi houses for the last few years. This year on Nabami I had been to Surul Sarkarbari or Surul Rajbari which is roughly 5 kilometres from Bolpur railway station in Birbhum. Here Maa Durga is worshipped in two houses – baro taraf and choto taraf with much splendour.

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Daily worshipped Durga idols of Kolkata Part 3

Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bengalees is not only celebrated as barowari pujas but it is equally worshipped in many bonedi households of Kolkata. But there are a few houses and temples in Kolkata where Maa Durga is worshipped round the year. In this post I shall include five such pujas though there are a few more houses or temples where Goddess Durga is worshipped daily, which I could not include in my post due to shortage of time.

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Avaya Durga, Silbari, Rajbalhat

Rajbalhat, a town in Jangipara block of Serampore subdivision of Hooghly district is named after Devi Rajballavi. It is also famous for handloom (tant) industry along with Dhaniakhali, also in Hooghly. That apart the town has a number of temples – Sridhar Damodar Temple, Radhakanta Temple along with the temple of Rajballavi.

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Daily worshipped Durga idols of Kolkata Part 2

Devi Durga is worshipped round the year in quite a number of temples/houses in Kolkata. During the time of Durga Puja these places of worship gets crowded with devotees of all age groups thereby making the ambience a puja-like atmosphere. In this post I shall include four such pujas and the rest in the third and final post coming soon.

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