Balurghat, Oct. 14 -- As white clouds drift across the autumn sky and the air fills with the fragrance of the festive season, preparations for Durga Puja are reaching a crescendo across Bengal. But at Sewai village in Balurghat block of South Dinajpur, the celebration unfolds with a distinctive Ramayana connection.

Here, Goddess Durga is worshipped alongside Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and Bibhishan, while the traditional idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh are conspicuous by their absence. This unique tradition, maintained by the Sewai Cooperative Sarbojanin Milan Mandir Committee for more than half a century, has entered its 56th year.

According to local residents, the Puja originated from the legend of Lord Rama worshipping Goddess Durga to seek her blessings before going to war against Ravana. Preserving this belief, the organisers have continued to place the four figures associated with the epic beside the Goddess, making the village's Durga Puja a distinctive blend of devotion and epic tradition.

The festival transforms the entire village into a vibrant community celebration every year. From constructing the pandal and preparing the idols to organising rituals and cultural programmes, residents of all ages participate enthusiastically. The preparations bring together villagers across generations, strengthening the bonds of community.

As evening falls, the illuminated Puja premises and bustling stalls lend a festive charm to the village. Visitors gather for shopping, conversations and social exchanges, while cultural programmes featuring dance, music and recitation keep the evenings lively. Children, teenagers and elderly residents alike take part in the celebrations.

Ranjit Chowdhury, secretary of the puja committee, said: "This Puja has been organised for 56 years. Goddess Durga is worshipped here following the tradition of the village's Shakti Puja. The festival has continued for so many years because of everyone's cooperation and participation. Every person in the village is associated with this celebration."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.