Traditional Durga Puja hosted by affluent heritage families, referred to as “Bonedi Bari” in Kolkata and other parts of Bengal is not something new. But what is unknown are the stories associated with these Pujas. On such Durga Puja hosted by Hatkhola Dutta family in their Nimtala Ghat Street residence in North Kolkata. This puja is not just an annual family festival worshipping the Goddess, but a living document of the history of Bengali and Indian society and freedom movement!
The most notable aspect of the Dutta family’s Durga Puja is its association with Indian freedom fighter ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose. Netaji’s mother Prabhavati Devi, who was the daughter of this family, used to attend Durga puja at this house.
Patriotic songs sung post Visarjan even today
During the Swadeshi movement, this family used to worship Goddess Durga as Deshmata or Deshamatrika. It is said that freedom fighters used to gather in this house at that time and secret meetings were also held.
Even today after the ‘Visarjan’ or immersion of the idol, a special custom of singing patriotic songs is followed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s maternal home. After immersion, the men of the family return home from the Ganga ghat and while walking home, they sing patriotic songs. This continues even after they reach home and participate in post-immersion rituals along with the family’s women.
When did this Durga Puja start?
The Hatkhola Dutta Bari Durga Puja is over 300 years old, having started in 1716 CE by the founder of the Dutta family, Ramcharan Dutta. The annual celebration is still held by the family in Kolkata to preserve their traditional legacy.
The idol of Dutta Bari has the imprint of the old Bengali style and several unique features. Such as the idol is dressed in a specific traditional style of decoration known as “Daak er Shaaj”. The “Chalchitra” (backdrop of the idol) is of the Mathchouri style, where the stories of Krishnaleela and Chandi are painted on clay.
The lion, the goddess’s vehicle or “Vahana”, is designed to look like a horse, which is seen in traditional style of Durga idols.
Durga Puja rituals at Hatkhola Dutta Family
Since this Durga Puja follows Vaishnavism rituals, hence animal sacrifice is completely prohibited in this puja. There is a custom of sacrificing a doll made of solidified milk on Maha Ashtami. Maa Durga is not offered rice-based dishes like steam rice, pulav or fried rice in her “Bhog” by this family. However, various types of sweets and fried foods are offered to the Goddess such as puri fried in ghee and powdered sugar is mandatory. Unlike regular Durga Puja where “Sindoor Khela” or application of vermillion on the idol by women are done on Vijaya Dashami or the last day of Puja, in this house, the custom is performed on Ashtami or Day 3 of the festival.
With all this tradition and history, the Puja at Hatkhola Dutta Bari in North Kolkata continues to carry a glorious chapter even today.
