New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- Rooted in a rich legacy of devotion, heritage and family traditions, Mou-er Durgabari at GD-279, Sector 3, Salt Lake, Kolkata, is celebrating the second year of its Durga Puja, bringing alive a centuries-old tradition of worshipping the Goddess.
The story traces back three centuries to Gurbari village in Hooghly district of Bengal, where the Roychowdhury family lived alongside expansive ponds, mango orchards and traditional homes. For generations, Goddess Durga was worshipped in the family's ancestral residence, where the 'Durga Dalan' once came alive during the festive days with the sounds of 'shankh', ululation and the rhythmic beats of 'dhaak'. The celebrations were marked by elaborate rituals, devotional fervour and warm hospitality towards guests. The ancestral household comprised two branches associated with the worship of Radha Gobinda Jiu and Lakshminarayan Jiu - the idols were established by the ancestors Ramnarayan Roychowdhury and Indranarayan Roychowdhury, respectively; the two houses were known as Barobari and Chhotobari.
According to family lore, the tradition of worshipping Radha Gobinda Jiu began when Ramnarayan Roychowdhury dreamt of a sacred stone lying near Jagannath Ghat on the banks of the river Ganga in Kolkata. Following this divine vision, he discovered the stone and brought it home with great reverence. The stone bore an impression of Lord Krishna and artisans from Benaras were commissioned to carve the deity on one large touchstone. An 'Ashtadhatu' idol of Radharani was subsequently created and daily worship was an integral part of the family's spiritual heritage.
The Durga Puja, however, came to an end nearly two and a half centuries ago following the establishment of the Radha Gobinda Jiu idol, in keeping with traditional religious customs. The original 'Ashtadhatu' Radharani idol was tragically stolen in February 1992, with fragments later recovered at the Dhaniakhali Police Station.
Since last year, the 'thakur dalan' of Mou-er Durgabari at renowned educationist Satyam Roychowdhury's Salt Lake residence in Kolkata is renewing this cherished legacy, connecting generations through devotion, cultural memory and the enduring spirit of Bengal's Durga Puja. The celebration is not merely a festival; it is a heartfelt tribute to ancestral heritage and a reaffirmation of the family's timeless bond with Goddess Durga. Mou-er Durgabari has been named in memory of Mou Roychowdhury, wife of Satyam Roychowdhury, who merged with the infinite two years ago.
This year, the celebrations will be inaugurated on the evening of 'Panchami', that is, October 15, with a soulful rendition by acclaimed singer Haimanti Shukla. Each day will unfold with captivating cultural performances by eminent artistes like Abhijit Acharya, Soumya Bose, talented performers from the popular reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' and faculty members of Sister Nivedita University (SNU), bringing alive the richness of Bengal's artistic traditions and lending the celebrations an added splendour of music, culture and festive joy.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.