Raiganj, Oct. 22 -- As Durga Puja festivities conclude in many places, Khadimpur village in North Dinajpur comes alive with its own age-old celebration, the historic Balai Chandi Puja. Organised by the Khadimpur Sarbojanin Puja Committee, the traditional festival began with rituals on Sasthi on Wednesday and will continue till Sunday, drawing devotees from different parts of the region.
The Puja, believed to have a history of more than 450 years, is not merely a religious occasion but also a symbol of the village's cultural heritage and community bonding. Unlike conventional Durga idols depicting Mahishasura and a buffalo, Goddess Balai Chandi is worshipped here in the form of a four-armed Durga. According to local elders, the Puja originated when the area was covered with dense forests. Initially, the rituals were performed in the open. Later, a makeshift temple made of straw and mud was erected. Three years ago, villagers constructed a permanent concrete temple for the deity.
Jiten Roy, a senior resident, said: "The exact origin of the Puja was unknown, but our forefathers had linked it to a devastating cyclonic storm that damaged agricultural fields and claimed numerous lives, more than 450 years ago. The villagers subsequently began worshipping the Goddess, and the tradition has continued since then. Devotees from Raiganj, Kaliyaganj and Hemtabad, as well as parts of Malda district and Bihar, visit the temple during the festival."
Binod Barman, a member of the Puja committee, said more than 10,000 residents from around 20 villages participated in organising the celebration.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.