Malda, Oct. 23 -- A tradition that had illuminated the path of a goddess for more than three-and-a-half centuries witnessed an unexpected change this Durga Puja, raising questions about the enduring legacy of communal harmony in Malda's Chanchal.
For generations, Muslim women from Sahurgachhi village have gathered on the banks of the Mara-Mahananda river near Paharpur to bid farewell to the goddess during the immersion of the historic Chanchal Rajbari Puja. Holding lanterns and, in recent years, torches, they would light up the riverbank at dusk, guiding the goddess on her final journey.
But on Dashami evening, this year, the familiar sight was missing. Instead, women from the Hindu-dominated Napitpara neighbourhood stepped forward with torches to illuminate the goddess's departure.
According to local accounts, the tradition began centuries ago when a devastating epidemic struck Sahurgachhi and Bidyanandapur. A villager reportedly received a divine instruction in a dream that the goddess of Paharpur Chandi temple should bid farewell with lanterns during immersion. Believing this would protect the village from the epidemic, residents began the practice, which was subsequently carried forward by generations of Muslim families.
When approached, several women from Sahurgachhi's Muslim neighbourhood acknowledged that they had not participated in the ritual but declined to explain their decision.
A local resident, Saidul, said: "The prevailing political atmosphere might have played a role. The controversial remarks by political leaders had generated resentment among sections of the minority community."
Yet, Sheikh Laltu, another resident, stressed that ordinary people continued to value their shared lives. "Whatever political leaders may say, people from both communities here live together in harmony," he said. Determined to ensure that the tradition did not disappear, Hindu women from Napitpara took responsibility for lighting the way.
"We see the Muslim women lighting the way every year during the immersion. This time, when they did not come forward, we took the torches and bid farewell to the goddess," said homemaker Sagari Pramanik.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.