Malda, Nov. 3 -- Crossing a river under the cover of darkness, a dense forest and a secret ritual performed before sunrise. These chilling tales, passed down through generations, continue to surround the 300-year-old Manikora Kali Puja in Malda's Habibpur. Once worshipped by dacoits, the Goddess is today revered by thousands of devotees from Bengal and neighbouring states.
Located in the Manikora area under Jajail Gram Panchayat, the temple has a fascinating history rooted in local folklore. According to popular belief, nearly three centuries ago, groups of dacoits would cross the Punarbhaba River from present-day Bangladesh and enter the dense forests of Manikora at night. They would worship the Goddess before sunrise and return to their hideouts before daylight.
"During British rule, a local zamindar reportedly discovered the abandoned shrine hidden beneath thick vegetation and revived the Puja. The tradition continued under the patronage of his family. After the abolition of the zamindari system, villagers took responsibility for organising the annual festival," said Gautam Bhattacharya, secretary of the Puja committee.
Several age-old customs remain intact. One distinctive feature is the use of flaming torches during the Puja, following the tradition believed to have been practised by the dacoits.
A seven-day fair is organised during the festival. Goat sacrifices continue throughout the night, with nearly 2,000 goats reportedly sacrificed during the celebrations.
Local folklore also speaks of a mysterious ritual during which the idol allegedly trembles and bends forward when a goat is sacrificed. Traditionally, the idol was secured with iron chains to prevent it from moving. Today, the Goddess's face is covered with cloth during the ritual.
"The Goddess is considered extremely powerful. Devotees come here with immense faith and make wishes. People from different parts of the state and even other states visit the temple. Villagers also seek her blessings before any auspicious occasion. On the day of the Puja, people across the area observe a vegetarian diet," Bhattacharya added.
The temple also hosts religious observances throughout the year. Chiranjeet Shil, joint treasurer of the committee, said a special Ashari Puja is organised during Ashar, accompanied by animal sacrifice. During Agrahayan, the temple celebrates Nabanna after the arrival of the new harvest. Villagers offer the first produce of the season to the goddess before performing Nabanna rituals in their homes. From its mysterious association with dacoits to its present identity as a centre of faith, Manikora Kali remains an enduring symbol of folklore, tradition and devotion.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.