Balurghat, Oct. 25 -- While Durga Puja dominates the festive calendar across Bengal, three villages in Balurghat celebrate Lakshmi Puja as their biggest annual festival, turning age-old religious traditions into a vibrant celebration of community life. Gupinagar, Poramadhail and Durlabhpur stand apart for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi alongside Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita, with Hanuman also finding a place in the rituals. The celebrations, spanning one to four days, feature fairs, jatra, plays and cultural programmes, transforming the villages into meeting grounds for faith, heritage and festivity.
At Gupinagar under Jalghar Gram Panchayat, Lakshmi Puja has been observed in its distinctive form for around 80 years. According to local elders, repeated crop failures once caused severe losses to farmers, prompting villagers to begin worshipping Lakshmi alongside Ram and Lakshman. The tradition has continued through generations. Anup Das, a member of the puja committee, said: "Earlier, the elderly people of our village organised the Puja. After they passed away, we took responsibility for carrying forward the tradition. A fair is organised here for one day."
Poramadhail's community Lakshmi Puja is nearly 300 years old and is rooted in a unique interpretation of the Ramayana. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the form of Sita, accompanied by Ram, Lakshman, Luv, Kush and Hanuman. According to local belief, the tradition began with prayers for agricultural prosperity.
The Goddess is dressed in saffron attire, preserving the distinctive character of the centuries-old ritual. Rintu Basak, secretary of the puja committee, said: "Our Puja is nearly 300 years old. We have preserved the village's ancient tradition of worshipping Lakshmi alongside Ram, Lakshman and Sita. The rituals are performed with devotion every year. A four-day fair, along with jatra and drama performances, will be organised."
Durlabhpur follows a similar tradition, with Sita worshipped as the manifestation of Lakshmi alongside Ram and Lakshman. The idols are arranged on a framework resembling that used for a Durga idol. The village's celebrations continue for four days with jatra, cultural programmes and theatrical performances. Pritam Sarkar, a resident of Durlabhpur, said: "Lakshmi Puja has been celebrated in our village for nearly 100 years. Ram and Lakshman have traditionally accompanied the goddess, while Sita is worshipped as Lakshmi. Various festivities will continue for four days."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.