Worshipping ghostly deities and malevolent spirits to ward off ‘ghosts’! Surprising, isn’t it? But on the first day of the Bengali month of Magh, the day of Akhan Yatra, the people of Purulia, located in the Chota Nagpur plateau, worship these ghostly or supernatural deities along with various folk deities. They also offer prayers to various malevolent spirits. This ‘ghost’ worship took place on Thursday, January 15 this year.

However, these ghostly deities have no idols or images. Large mounds or stones scattered in various forests across West Bengal’s tribal-dominated district Purulia have been worshipped as deities since ages.

The people of the former Manbhum region believe that worshipping these supernatural deities on the first day of Magh will protect them from ghosts or supernatural events. Therefore, local ‘ghostly deities’ like ‘Kudra’, ‘Goran Bhut’, ‘Matka Bhut’, ‘Mechho Bhut’, ‘Pilka Bhut’, ‘Churin Bhut’, and ‘Basat Bhut’ are worshipped in various forests of Purulia on this day. Along with them, various powerful folk deities are also worshipped, including ‘Khelaichandi’, ‘Garam Thakur’, ‘Baghrai Buri’, ‘Sannyasi Brahmachari’, and many others! And this worship involves rituals like the sacrifice of ducks, chickens, and even pigeons.

First day of Magh marks beginning of the agricultural year in Bengal

After worshipping these deities, the farmers plough their fields twice on the first day of Magh, marking the beginning of the agricultural year across Bengal. While there are countless traditions surrounding the agricultural year, and many are no longer visible, this act of ploughing is still practiced.

In the rural society of Purulia and the former Manbhum region, the first day of Magh is considered as sacred as the Bengali New Year and Akshaya Tritiya. On this day, the people of rural Purulia begin construction work in their houses and start new businesses.

Along with the worship of various folk deities, a fair is held in Purulia for several days surrounding this Akhana Yatra. However, not all the customs associated with the agricultural year are observed in the present day. Those involved in rice cultivation—those who graze cattle and buffaloes in the fields, plough the land, and plant rice seedlings—would finalise agreements on this day regarding the amount of rice to be given in exchange for their labour. Some would even receive advance payments. Outstanding debts are also settled on this day while new agreements were made.

Deities associated with crop growth, protection from diseases and obstacles worshipped

Subhash Roy, a folk culture researcher from Purulia, said, “On the first day of the month of Magh, the Akhan Yatra is celebrated across the vast Chota Nagpur plateau. This day is considered very auspicious.  Various folk deities are worshipped throughout the district. Even if these deities are not worshipped on other days of the year, they are definitely worshipped on this day. And after that, people engage in various rituals related to the agricultural year. Although many of these rituals have been lost, some still remain.”

“Among these folk deities are also supernatural or paranormal deities. However, the worship of these deities mainly takes place in the forests. The worship is done to protect against any supernatural dangers. To maintain peace and harmony in the home, we perform the puja of Sannyasi Brahmachari in our house. He is the Vastu Devata (deity of the house),” he added.

Tradition says sacrifice a pig to keep the ghost satisfied!

In Cheliyama village of Raghunathpur police station, at the end of the Bagati neighbourhood, there are two stone fragments. On this day, ‘Kudra’ is worshipped at one of them. Besides this, in several villages under this police station area, this ghost is worshipped in every household to ward off supernatural dangers.

In this former Manbhum region, a proverb is still heard: “Kudra is the ghost of the house, offer a pig and it will be quiet.”

Former state minister and state Trinamool general secretary Shanti Ram Mahato says, “We have Baghuth Thakur in our house. We worship that deity on this day.” Among the rural folk deities, ‘Panch Bahani’, ‘Saat Bahani’, and ‘Bakas’ are worshipped. Besides these, deities associated with crop growth, protection from diseases and obstacles, animals, household deities, ancestral deities, and Puranic deities are also worshipped in this former Manbhum region.

Locals worship these deities to protect themselves from paranormal events

In this district of West Bengal bordering Jharkhand, the grip of superstitions related to witches, ghosts, and spirits has been strong for a long time. Despite continuous awareness campaigns by various science-minded organisations and the administration, the district has not been freed from these superstitions. Therefore, various paranormal and supernatural incidents are brought to light, and various unfortunate events also occur surrounding these incidents. Hence, to protect themselves from these paranormal or supernatural events.

The people of this jungle-covered district still cling to their long-held beliefs. What if something bad happens if they don’t worship these supernatural deities? Out of this fear, elaborate rituals are performed in the forests, involving the worship of deities such as ‘Kukur Kudra’, ‘Kukur Kudri’, ‘Shuyora Bhut’, and ‘Chhaglya Bhut’.

Nayan Mukhopadhyay, the general secretary of the Purulia district committee of the West Bengal Science Forum and a physician, said, “These are human weaknesses. These rituals are performed to ward off supernatural events, hoping to appease these ghostly deities through worship. However, this is no longer seen among the current generation. They participate in the festivities surrounding this event, but they are not engaging in these rituals. People may have their superstitions and beliefs, but everyone must ensure that people are not cheated or deceived by these superstitious practices.”

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