Durga Puja is not a reasonable celebration in Bengal—it’s a deep-seated feeling. Though modern pandals in Kolkata are polished with beauty and lights, there's an additional side to Durga Puja.
It clutches deep cultural and then social significance. These are the inheritance Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal. They are accommodated by royal and honorable families recognized as Bonedi Baris.
These family-run pujas, approximately over 200 to 300 years old, still follow age-old traditions. These customs have been passed down through finished generations.
They don’t center on glitz and fabulousness, but on enthusiasm, convention, and legacy. In this article, we’ll explore the past of Bonedi Barir Durga Puja outside Kolkata. We’ll look at its unique duties and the standing of traditional Durga Puja in West Bengal towns.
What Is Bonedi Barir Durga Puja?
The term "Bonedi" refers to noble families. It particularly highlights those who were well-to-do owners or transporters during British rule. Many of these families lived in large genealogical châteaux.
They began presenting Durga Pujas centuries ago. These pujas converted family traditions and continued after India gained independence.
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Nowadays, the Bonedi Barir Durga Puja history is kept alive by its relatives. They still live in these old homes or come back each year to rejoice together. Their pujas are more around confidence and family property than open display.
The Uniqueness of Legacy Pujos
Each Bonedi Bari (well-thought-of house) has its individual way of worshiping Maa Durga. The symbols, tax, music, food, and streamers often differ after what we see in public pujas. Here are a few things that make Bequest Durga Puja in the Bengal locale so special:
Chronicled Roots
Countless of these pujas began in the 18th or 19th century. They frequently started to welcome consecrations for the family or to demonstration thanks for prosperity.
You can find well-known Bonedi Barir Durga Puja in Murshidabad, Nadia, and Hooghly. These celebrations have been fashionable for over 250 years.
2: Conventional Idols
The symbols in Bonedi Baris are frequently made in a specific fashion. Some relations keep the same symbol shape each year. Others reuse the representation outline (chala) across generations.
In some homes, you'll see the deity not on a lion. In its place, she sits in a royal location with her children beside her. This is very different from advanced pandal art.
3: Sacrosanct Rituals
Ceremonies are taken entirely in these homes. The priest is regularly a domestic cleric who has been serving the household for eras. Each day, tax like Bodhon, Sandhi Puja, Kumari Puja, and Sindoor Khela happen with care and dedication. Bonedi Baris often uses live dhak and Sanskrit mantras. This is different from open pujas, which may use recorded chants or melodies.
4: Community and Family Involvement
These pujas are private but affectionately open to companies and local people. Throughout the traditional Durga Puja in West Bengal, everyone joins in. Individuals help with preparation, cook bhog, or appear the aarti.
Family persons, indeed those breathing overseas, homecoming domestic amid this time. It's a enormous family get-together with rock-hard excited value.
Famous Bonedi Barir Durga Pujas in Bengal’s Districts
Let’s take a see at a few Popular Bonedi Barir Durga Puja celebrations in distinctive parts of Bengal:
1. Cossimbazar Rajbari, Murshidabad
This is one of the most seasoned pujas in the state. The Bonedi Barir Durga Puja history here dates back over 300 a long time. The icon here is excellent, with conventional beautifications and customs taken after exceptionally seriously.
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2. Mitra Bari, Saptagram (Hooghly)
This Bonedi Bari celebrates the puja with an symbol made in the classic "ekchala" fashion. Their Legacy Durga Puja in Bengal locale is known for its quiet setting and antiquated rituals.
3. Chowdhury Bari, Andul (Howrah)
This puja is over 250 a long time ancient. The family still celebrates in their huge hereditary domestic, with hand-painted beautifications, conventional dhunuchi move, and custom made bhog.
4. Sarkar Bari, Bansberia (Hooghly)
The puja here is celebrated in the locale. Local people see forward to it each year. It's an case of conventional Durga Puja in West Bengal towns, where the entire community gets to be a portion of the celebration.
The Part of Towns and Little Towns
When individuals think of Durga Puja, they frequently envision Kolkata’s enormous pandals. But numerous conventional Durga Pujas in West Bengal towns are similarly important. In locales like Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan, and North 24 Parganas, hundreds of families still hold private pujas in ancient clay homes and palatial estates.
These places might not have tremendous budgets or TV scope, but they keep the genuine soul of Durga Puja alive—with immaculateness, community soul, and simplicity.
Cultural and Devout Significance
The history of Bonedi Barir Durga Puja is not about respect. It also emphasizessocial preservation. These pujas are breathing historical centers. From age-old apparatuses to hand-loomed sarees, all reflect Bengal’s brilliant past.
Many Bonedi Baris still use old approaches to make bhog (special food) over a wood fire. Yes, the lights used are predictable lights, or diyas in place of advanced LEDs.
These ceremonies teach fresher generations about their backgrounds and connect them to their identity. That's why travel groups and bequest organizations are forward-moving Legacy Durga Puja in Bengal areas.
Bonedi Bari Pujas in Present Day Times
Over time, many Bonedi Baris have misappropriated their riches and control. They endure the puja by gathering provisions from family and friends. Approximately hosts open their pujas to guests. This lets persons see a unique and faithful side of Durga Puja.
In a long time, nearby there has been emerging interest in these pujas. Lightweight bloggers, photographers, and content creators are showcasing the magic of Bonedi Barir Durga Puja in small towns.
Tour admins are now preparing Legacy Durga Puja visits in Bengal. This is especially true from Mahalaya to Dashami. Visitors will enjoy the old-world charm of these celebrations.
Conclusion
The history of Bonedi Barir Durga Puja isn’t about gods and goddesses. It's about time, memory, community, and tradition. Legacy pujas keep our social roots alive, while advanced pujas engage us with lights and themes.
From the grand Rajbaris of Murshidabad to the peaceful homes in Bankura, each Bonedi Bari shares a story. It speaks of dedication, family pride, and Bengal’s rich social history.
Let's celebrate Durga Puja each year. We should honor and protect this tradition in towns and homes across West Bengal. These are the places where Maa Durga comes, not with a show, but with a warm welcome. You’ll hear old chants that echo through the years.
