Durga Puja is the greatest festival for the people of West Bengal, and we Bengalis certainly celebrate it with uniqueness and grandeur.
It is during the month of Ashwin, Bengalis welcome Goddess Durga with marked clear skies, ‘Agomonir Sur’, and blooming white ‘Kashful’ all around.
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Durga Puja is celebrated both in aristocratic houses (Bonedi Bari) as well as in almost all neighborhoods across West Bengal.
This is the time for gatherings with family, friends, and loved ones. The sound of dhaks and the unique aroma of ‘Dhuno’ brings immense joy to our hearts.
Pandal hopping in Kolkata is a common scenario but planning visits to some of the beautiful ancient and aristocratic houses hosting Durga Puja is something special.
The Bonedi Bari pujas are the ideal mirror that shows how beautiful family traditions and reunions are and how West Bengal is enriched by rich regal cultures.
In this article, you will get to know about the following Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in Kolkata,
Let’s explore each of these in detail.
Bonedi Barir Durga Pujas in North Kolkata
Some of the popular Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in North Kolkata are,
1. Sovabazar Raj Bari Durga Puja
| Address | 33, Raja Naba Krishna Street, Sovabazar, Kolkata – 700005 |
| Nearest Metro Station | Sovabazar Sutanuti |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Jaipuria Collage |
Raja Naba Krishna Deb started the Durga Puja in the Sovabajar Rajbari in 1757.
Non-Hindus are also permitted to observe a household Durga Puja for the first time in Sovabajar Raj bari.
Raja Naba Krishna Deb decided to invite Lord Clive and Warren Hastings to the Durga Puja celebrations held at the Sovabazar Chhoto Rajbari after Robert Clive’s victory against Siraj-ud-daula at the Battle of Plassey.
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After the Battle of Plassey, Durga Puja was initiated in the Boro Rajbari where personalities like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, and Rabindranath Tagore used to visit and witness the elegant Durga Utsav and other occasions.
According to legend, goddess Durga visits the Sovabazar Rajbari to enjoy the music.
The renowned Nachghar (Dancing Room) of the Rajbari hosted a musical extravaganza all night long during the Puja.
On Dashami, the Sovabazar Rajbari had a custom of flying Nilkantha birds (The last day of Puja).
However, once the Wildlife Preservation Act made this illegal, they started to submerge clay idols of the bird along with the idol of Maa Durga.
2. Pathuriaghata Khelat Ghosh Durga Puja
| Address | 69, Pathuria Ghat St, Malapara, Santoshpur, Jorabagan, Kolkata – 700006 |
| Nearest Metro Station | Girish Park |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Government Art College Hostel |
The lavishly celebrated Durga Puja of Pathuriaghata is almost 170 years old.
The family of Khelat Chandra Ghosh started the Puja after they shifted to Pathurighata at the time of Warren Hastings.
The grand Thakur Dalan (probably the greatest in the city) and the Khelat Ghosh Memorial Hall (previously a dancing hall) is the main attraction of this Thakurbari.
The ritual of Durga Puja is solemnly celebrated and homemade sweets are served to the goddess.
The grand celebration is marked by the decoration of the courtyard with centuries-old Belgian-cut glass chandeliers.
A unique item offered here is the Chandana Kheer, a savory milk pudding made from a century-old recipe.
Mahatma Gandhi and Warren Hastings used to both come here to see the Durga puja.
The authenticity of Landlords during British Rule witnessed a grand picture of Bengali culture.
3. Purna Chandra Dhar Family Durga Puja
| Address | 32A, Debendra Mullick St, Tiretti, Kolkata – 700073 |
| Nearest Metro Station | Central |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Medical Hospital |
The Durga puja of the family of Purna Chandra Das is one of the iconic and unique Thakur bari pujas in North Kolkata.
Purna Chandra Dhar was a successful salt trader who worked as a cashier for the former British company Jardine & Skinner.
The Dhar family, originally from Halisahar, arrived in Kolkata in the 1850s.
Purna Chandra began the tradition of Durga Puja some 157 years ago. It has been held here annually barring some years.
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The idol of Devi Durga is quite unique and special at the Purna Chandra Dhar Family Puja. The goddess only has two hands instead of ten hands with weapons (Astras).
Additionally, two lions are placed at her feet rather than the demon asura.
The Goddess is revered here as Abhaya.
The family follows the ancient tradition of Vaishnavism and therefore no animals are sacrificed in this ritual.
4. Badan Chandra Roy Family Durga Puja
| Address | 2A, Gopal Chandra Lane, Tiretti, Kolkata – 700073 |
| Nearest Metro Station | Central |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Medical Hospital |
The Badan Chandra Roy Durga Puja dates back to 1857 when Mackintosh and Burn constructed the opulent house.
The Puja was started by the late Badan Chandra Roy, also known as Subarna Banik “Pals,” who was a native of Ayodhya before receiving the title of Roy.
With white pillars topped by ornate lighting, the Thakurdalan is rather large in this location.
The Goddess is seated on an altar, under the Chal Chitra that has been decorated with ‘Daker Saj’.
The little figures on the Chal Chitra were meticulously painted by hand up until the 1960s.
Now, these minuscule figures are printed on sheets and pasted here.
5. Jhamapukur Chandra Family Durga Puja
| Address | 24A, Bechu Chatterjee St, Machuabazar, Kolkata – 700009 |
| Nearest Metro Station | Mahatma Gandhi Road |
| Nearest Bus Stand | City Collage |
Jhamapukur Chandra Bari celebrates Durga Puja for over 250 years.
Subal Chand Chandra, who owned a textile company, founded the grand celebration of Durga puja in the opulent Thakur bari.
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The puja was originally performed in the Jorasanko home, but starting in 1870, it was moved to 24A, Bechu Chatterjee Street in Kolkata.
The idol is special because Goddess Durga has two hands rather than 10 and is seated next to her consort, Lord Shiva.
Bonedi Barir Durga Pujas in Central Kolkata
Some of the popular Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in Central Kolkata are,
1. Rani Rashmoni Family Durga Puja
The founder of Dakshinewar Kali Temple, Rani Rashmoni’s family Durga Puja is one of the most celebrated family pujas in Kolkata.
The puja is being celebrated at the family house of Rani Rashmoni (1793–1861) since 1790.
Durga Puja is celebrated here every year in a square-shaped courtyard.
The Durga Protima is dressed in a traditional white “Daker or sholar saj” outfit with an “Ekchala,” or orange face (thermocol decoration).
Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa has offered adoration to the goddess here too.
After Rani Rashmoni passed away in 1861, her daughters and son-in-laws continued the Durga puja celebration at their premises.
2. Radha Gobinda Mallick Family Durga Puja
The Mallick Family’s Durga Puja stretches back to the fifteenth century.
Radha Gobinda Mallick, the family’s founder, moved to Bhowanipur in 1860. His family had originally lived in the village of Srikhanda before moving to Guptipara.
Thereafter, Durga Puja was moved from his hometown village to Kolkata in 1925.
Both the “Annapurna Dalan” and the “Durga Dalan” are used for Puja rituals at the Mallick house.
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The Mallick family prepares vegetarian meals from Sasthi to Nabami following the Vaishnavism rituals.
After Dasami, non-vegetarian cuisines are made.
Wheat is offered to the deity instead of rice.
This family includes well-known Bengali movie star Ranjit Mallick and her daughter Koel Mallick.
Bonedi Barir Durga Pujas in South Kolkata
Some of the popular Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in South Kolkata are,
1. Sabarna Roy Chowdhury Aatchala Durga Puja
| Address | 26, Sabarna Para Road, Paschim Barisha, Kolkata – 700008 |
| Nearest Metro Station | – |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Sakher Bazar |
Sabarna Roy Choudhury Atchala DurgaPuja is said to be the oldest Durga puja in Calcutta.
The courtyard where the Puja is held, the Thakur Dalan, is surrounded by red pillars that witness a spectacular event.
The transfer of Sutanuti, Gobindapur, and Kalikata was discussed here by Roy Chowdhury and Job Charnock.
Thus, the city’s 370-year-old Durga Puja is the pride of the city itself.
The Aatchala Durga Puja was started by Lakshmikanta Majumder in 1610.
The Sabarna Roy Choudhury family organizes 8 Bonedi bari Durga pujas, among which 6 are in Kolkata and 1 each in Birati and Nimta.
2. Behala Sonar Durga Puja
| Address | 56, Brahmo Samaj Road, Behala, Kolkata – 700034 |
| Nearest Metro Station | – |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Behala Tram Depot |
Jagat Ram Mukherjee Durga Puja is the worship of the “Sonar Durga,” or Golden Durga in the grand palace of Mukherjee House.
The Mukherjee residence is hidden along a little alleyway off Diamond Harbour Street.
Jagat Ram Mukherjee kept his daughter’s wish of conducting Durga Puja at the home on Navami.
Ghot Puja was first done here in 1769 instead of worshipping an idol.
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Simple khichuri was served here made with readily available ingredients at home.
A clay idol was worshipped from the next year.
The golden idol was introduced by the grandson of Jagat Ram Mukherjee, Ishwar Jadunath Mukherjee in 1869.
The Chalchitra is made of an 8-metaled alloy and has idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Kartik.
Another interesting thing about this house is that no food is cooked on Dashami because this is the day when the daughter leaves for her husband’s abode.
3. Behala Roy Family Durga Puja
| Address | Amarendra Bhavan, 4/1, Roy Bahadur Rd, Behala, Kolkata – 700034 |
| Nearest Metro Station | – |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Behala 14 No. Bus Stand |
The Roy family residing at the lavish Amarendra Bhawan grand palace hosts Durga Puja every year.
The stunning palace, constructed of flawless white marble, is a testament to both past and present royalty.
The Roy family continues to observe the customs of the past by jubilantly celebrating Jagaddhatri Puja and Durga Puja every year.
Ambika Charan Roy established the Durga Puja celebration in Behala in 1756.
He was a prominent family member who had gathered enormous fortune to support the Durga Puja throughout the years.
The Puja is now conducted at the rajbari of Amarendra Bhawan built by his third son, Amarendra Roy.
4. Bhukailash Rajbari Durga Puja
| Address | Kanchan Colony, Ekbalpur, Khidirpur, Kolkata – 700023 |
| Nearest Metro Station | – |
| Nearest Train Station | Khidirpur |
| Nearest Bus Stand | Dock Hospital No. 4 |
There are several well-known Durga Pujas in Khidderpore. Among these, Bhukailash Rajbari Puja is the most renowned and ancient one.
Raja Jaynarayan Ghoshal born in Gobindapore in 1752 AD made a fortune trading in salt, gold, and other precious stones.
He moved his empire to the 200 bighas between present-day Fort William and Khidderpore.
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On the banks of the pond known as Shiva Ganga, the Raja constructed two exquisite temples in 1782 that were devoted to Lord Shiva.
Rakta-Kamaleshwar (approximately 11 feet tall) and Krishna-Chandreshwar linga are two of the temples’ tall Shiva Lingams (about 15 ft in height).
Jaynarayan Ghoshal constructed a second stunning temple inside his palace the following year, in 1782.
These are some of the popular Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in Kolkata that you must visit.
While our hearts fill with sorrow and grief when Durga Maa leaves for her heavenly abodes, the bonedi bari pujas leave everlasting impressions and wait for another year to welcome her.
A reflectance of True emotion and remembrance of the past, the rajbari pujas must be on your bucket list for Kolkata Pujo Parikrama.
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