Shantipriya Roychowdhury/Howrah

The Industrial city of Howrah has an equally rich heritage and it is manifested during Durga Puja, especially at the Bonedi Baris (houses of old landowning and prominent families). The Durga Puja at these houses are not only a religious celebration but also a vibrant expression of tradition, history and culture since centuries.

The 'Buri Mar Atchala' puja, located in the Chaitalpada area of ​​Bali in Howrah, is about 400 years old. It started during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Earlier, it was a family puja, but now it has become a community event. The name 'Buri Mar' reflects the antiquity and significance of this puja.

Beginning on the next day of Mahalaya, this puja continues till Dashami. Kumari puja (worshipping virgins) is performed on Saptami, while Kamya puja is performed on Maha Ashtami. After the Ganga bath of Navpatrika, a special puja is performed in the temple premises. The animals once sacrificed to appease the Goddess have now been replaced by vegetables.

Devotees offer saree, alta, vermillion and sweets to the goddess.

Similarly, the worship of the Dutta Choudhary family of Choudhary Pada Lane, located in the Andul area of ​​Howrah, is more than 450 years old. It was started by Ramsharan Dutta Choudhary in 1568. This worship is performed according to the Vaishnav tradition, and the rules of Brihatnandikesvara Purana are followed in it.

Both Kumari Puja and Dhunno Poran are held on Navami. A special feature here is that the idol-making process is completed in several stages – one artist makes the idol, the other paints it, and a third one comes from Krishnanagar to make the eyes of the goddess.

The Durga Puja of Andul Rajbari was started by Ramlochan Roy in 1770. The puja is held in the beautiful Chandi Mandap, located inside the Rajbari. Today, the puja is organised by the Mitra family - after the demise of the last descendant of the Roy family, they follow traditions and rituals. The idol here is traditionally one-faced, and the lion of the goddess is white in colour, giving it a distinctive identity. This puja is held at a place called Thakurdalan.

The Bhattacharya family's puja at house number 171 on Shivpur Road is approximately 350 years old. This puja was started by Krishnacharan Bhattacharya, son of Raghunath Shiromani. The puja here follows the Shakta tradition. A special feature of this puja is that the Kalbau (Navapatrika) is placed near Kartik instead of Ganesha, because according to the family, Kartik is the elder one. In this puja, the idol is installed on a Panchamundi Asan (a seat with five skulls), which gives it a Tantric significance.

Here, Kumari Puja is performed on Navami and Dhunno Poran is performed on both Ashtami and Navami. The lion, the vehicle of the Goddess, is white in colour and is called "Narasimha". Apart from this, Jagadhatri and Annapurna Puja are also performed in the same building, which makes it even more unique.

The Roychowdhury family puja, which is held at 46A/11, Shivpur Road, began in 1092 Bangabda (1685 AD). It was started by the landlord Raja Rambrahma Roychowdhury. This puja is held at a place called "Sanjher Achala". The idol is highly artistic, and goats are sacrificed on all three days, which is a major tradition of this puja. This puja reflects a very ancient form of Shakti worship.

The Durga Puja of the BK Pal family, located in Nav Gopal Mukherjee Lane, Shivpur, has also been going on for about 300 years. This is the ancestral home of the famous pharmacist Bot Krishna Pal. The idol of Goddess Durga here is called the 'Abhay Murti', in which the Goddess has only two hands – one in a blessing gesture and the other holding a fully bloomed lotus and fruits. This idol does not depict the killing of any demon, which makes it different from other idols. This idol is made on the auspicious day of Rath Yatra and is installed in the 'Thakur Dal'.

Here Durga Bodhan starts from Krishna Navami, and Chandipath continues till Navami. The puja is performed in the Shakta style, while the Sandhi puja is done in the Tantric style. On Ashtami, Dhunno Poran is organised, in which women of Pal family, as well as women of the neighbourhood participate. It takes the form of a social festival. Animal sacrifices are made here on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. Especially on Navami, a buffalo is sacrificed, which reflects the deep Tantric tradition of the puja.

Talking about all these pujas, one thing becomes clear: the Bonedi Baris of Howrah are not just places of worship, but also protectors of cultural and historical heritage. Durga Puja here is not just the worship of the Goddess, but it is a symbol of an entire lifestyle, a thought and a belief that has been passed down through generations.

Every household has a special tradition of worship – be it the method of idol making, the installation of Navpatrika, the tradition of sacrifice or the rituals performed as per religious texts. All these clearly reflect the depth, faith and cultural diversity of Bengal.

Today, when traditional customs are slowly being left behind in the throes of modernity and a fast-paced lifestyle, these Bonedi Baris of Howrah remind us what true heritage is. The Durga Puja here tells us that even though times may change, faith and tradition, if followed wholeheartedly, can survive for hundreds of years.

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There is no need for a guide to witness and understand these pujas – the air, the devotion, the music, the sound of conch shells and the smell of Dhunno Poran make you feel as if you are not attending any ordinary puja, but standing amidst the living pages of history. If you ever visit Howrah during Durga Puja, do witness the Bonedi Baris puja – this experience will not only fill you with devotion but will also introduce you to the soul of Bengal.