Panagarh, Oct. 11 -- Deep inside the dense Garh Jungle forests of Kanksa in West Burdwan, where folklore speaks of tigers, bears and sages immersed in meditation, stands the crumbling ashram of Rishi Medhas, a site believed by devotees to be the birthplace of the world's first Durga Puja.
Steeped in Hindu mythology, particularly the Shakta tradition, the ancient hermitage is associated with King Suratha, who, according to the Markandeya Purana and Sri Sri Chandi, worshipped Goddess Durga here in spring after losing his kingdom.
"Garh Jungle is an important place in Hindu mythology, especially Shakta. King Surath and Baisya Samadhi learned Devi Mahatmya from Medhas in this place. Surath organised a Durga Puja here in spring.
According to ...