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Adieu to Mother - Collection of Immersion moments from Bagbazar Ghat

CR Park Co-operative Society Durga Puja 2012 presents "Rural Art of Bengal Colored Bamboos" from Bankura

Bankura is located in the western part of the State of West Bengal. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State and included in the area known as "Rarh" in Bengal. It is bounded by Midnapore and Hooghly district in the East, Purulia in the West, Burdwan in the North and again Purulia and Midnapore in the South.
Bankura is triangular in shape with a total area of 6882 Sq.km.Nature has decorated Bankura with her own hands. There are old brown hills, gleaming rivers, several ancient temples and monuments which are the repositories of thought culture and tradition of Bankura. The fairs of Bankura are often organized in consonance with religious festivities, primarily Durga Puja. The entire region is usually decorated with various Bamboo craft and panels.

Bamboo Craft

Bamboo, botanically known as bambusa, belongs, paradoxically enough, to the family of humble grass, graminae. But what is more amazing about this plant is the diverse role it plays in the service of mankind, although it grows in utter neglect. Each type of bamboo has its own characteristics. The gonda, goda and genthe bamboos are thick, heavy and knotty while the beseni, muli and talta bamboos are light, thin and hollow.

The uses of different types of bamboos vary according to their durability, characteristics and appearance. The thick and knotty bamboos are mainly used for structural purposes, for making furniture and fencings.. The thin, straight and hollow bamboos are commonly used for making containers, fish traps, baskets etc.
Bajali, a special type of bamboo, is used exclusively for making flutes.

The Bamboo art work is an old primitive style of Bankura and over the year's different techniques and innovation took place and one such Innovation is Paintings & colored Motifs on Bamboo. The Bengal Bamboos (Bambusa Tulda) is being used for such designs as they are thicker in Dia and have a smooth surface. The bamboos are colorfully painted with different ALPANA (Rangoli) themes and village woman draped in saris are common motifs. The paintings & designs on bamboo are later given a lacquer protection.

Co-operative Durga Puja showcased "Rural Art of Bengal Colored Bamboos" where similar motifs are been created by artisans of Bankura Districts with use of other bamboo craft item such as Kulo's & Dalaa's. We intend to uplift this PRIMITIVE Art form and create a demand in Urban sector.

The Celebration

Sovabazar Rajbari Jora Nouka Bhasan - A Durgapuja Online Exclusive

THE JOURNEY THAT BEGAN FROM 1882 - DURGA PUJA IN DUTTA BARI AT BALARAM DE STREET

Kumari Pujo

Durga Pujo taking place at the Royal Households have always fascinated us, the Pujos have been occurring for so many years, might have been started by a forefather, numerous rituals yet so strikingly different, these Durga Pujos have a different attractiveness and charisma. It has an aura encircling it, the history of these Pujos, our inquisitiveness to unearth informations about them, certain mysteries, some stories are passed down to the coming generations, some myths, some facts might be shrouded under darkness while some others are referred to time and again, Durga Pujos in the Royal households is really a extensive topic that requires research and study but its not humanly possible to assemble all those informations from every nook and corner so www.durgapujaonline.com has only attempted to outline the history and ritual details of Durga Pujos in Royal Households. We would now acquaint you all with some knowledge regarding Ghosh Family residing at " Dutta Bari" at 159, Balaram De Street Kolkata - 700006. ( Land Mark : Girish Park Metro Station). Their Forefather Shri Shyamal Dhon Dutta ( Solicitor High Court) who hails from Hath Khola Dutta Bari inaugurated this puja in the year 1882 and till date the 6th descendant of the family is commendably carrying the tradition forward.

1882

1888

1900

1927

1982

The Pratima of Ma Durga is made on the Katahamo which is divided into three parts. The kathamo pujo is done on the day of Ulto rath.The chalchitra is divided into three parts. On the upper right side of the chalchitra is the painted image of Radha Krishna while at the bottom is the image of Chandi of 'Nishumbha' war. On the upper left side of the chalchitra is the picture of Ram and Sita while at its bottom is Chandi in her 'Shumbho' form. At the top middle of the chalchitra is the image of Kali and at the bottom is the painted image of 10 avtars of Vishnu. On the curved frame work of the 'Chalchitra' are 2 parrots.

Towards the idol of Lakshmi on the chachitra is the image of Shiva on an ox while towards the idol of Saraswati is Ram and Hanuman. Durga's appurtenance, the Lion has a horse face. The entire dress of the pratima is made of clay. The ornaments of Ma Durga, her bangles, her neck piece are carved out of clay and are also hand- made. The weapons of the partima is of pure silver which is changed on dashami.

The Chandipath starts on the holy day of Mahalaya and continues for seven days with 7 brahmins doing the regular rituals. On the Mahashasti the Ma Durga is welcomed home at the auspicious moment of Bodhon . On Mahasaptami the puja starts with the kala bou snan at the ganga.

On Maha asthami the ritual of dhuno porano is performed where the married ladies of the family hold the burning malshas in their hand. At the time of Sandhi Puja the 108 maha pradeep is lightened by all the family members.The sadhaba pujo and the Kumari Puja is held on all the three days ( Saptami Asthami and nabami).

The Maha bhog of the Pujo consists of Radhaballabi, Ledikeni, Dorbesh, Narkel Naru, Doi, Khasta Kachuri and luchi. The Bhog is prepared by organizing ''vien'' at the household. This custom is followed from 1882 and for a period of almost hundred and thirty years the Bhog tradition is maintained where twice in a day it is prepared entirely at home with utmost devotion.

On Dashami the Daridra Narayan seva happens where Kichuri bhog is distributed.

At the time of dusk the immersion of the pratima is done . The speciality is that the Pratima is taken to the ganga on human shoulders , eighteen manual labourers with the support of three bamboos join Ma Durga's grand farewell procession. No vehicle or any kind of mode of transportation is strictly prohibited. The chachitra is being attached to three bamboos which is a tradition to the family.

The well- known 'Nilkontho' ritual is also a part of this family's tradition where one of the birds are set free on the day of immersion while the other one is let out after the immersion. Due to government restriction now only a clay form of nilkonto is immersed along with the idol. Another feature in connection with immersion of Ma Durga is that of Jora Nouka, Ma Durga is taken to almost at the center of river Ganga, the two boats are moved apart and the idol is submerged into the river.

www.durgapujaonline.com has provided little bit of details for our friends so that you all make yourself familiar with Dutta Barir Durga Pujo at Balaram De Street. Keep checking this space because we will share some old photographs, more than hundred years old which are the testimony of the tradition of glorious hundred and forty two years.