More than 500 years ago, human sacrifice was practiced during Durga Puja at the Baikanthapur Rajbari (royal palace) in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri. It is said that a member of the royal family was sacrificed in front of Goddess Durga and that royal blood was offered to the Goddess. However, the practice has changed over time. The midnight sacrifice is still practiced in the palace. Along with a ball of rice, lamb and pairs of pigeons are also sacrificed.
This Durga Puja is held according to the Kalika Purana text that describes Goddess Kali in her myriad forms and indicates the rituals and sacrifices related to the Goddess.
Royal priest Shibu Ghoshal, whose family has been conducting Durga Puja at Baikanthapur palace for generations, said, “The puja is still conducted in a way as it was done during the royal era. Earlier, human sacrifices were done at midnight. Now, even though the puja is done at midnight, a ball is made with rice powder, which is sacrificed with kush (a type of grass used in Durga Puja rituals). During the time of sacrifice, the puja mandap is covered and no one except the members of the royal family is allowed to enter. Along with that, four pairs of pigeons and a lamb are also sacrificed.”
516th year of Durga Puja in Baikunthapur royal palace of Jalpaiguri
Durga Puja in Baikunthapur royal palace of West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri steps into its 516th year this time. It is said that in 1510, two brothers Bishwa Singha and Shirshwa Singha of the Jalpaiguri Baikunthapur royal family introduced Durga Puja at the Rajbari. They sculpted an idol of Durga from clay. It is believed that Bishwa Singhaa ascended to the throne of Cooch Behar that year with the blessings of Goddess Durga. Shirshwa Singhaa relocated to Baikunthpur in Jalpaiguri and established his rule. What is now the Baikunthapur Forest was originally the Rajbari.
At that time, the capital of the Raikat dynasty was located in Subarnapur of undivided Bengal. The Durga puja was started there. Later, the puja was shifted to the banks of the Teesta river in Jalpaiguri, the capital of the Baikunthapur kingdom. Since then, the puja is still being performed in the Jalpaiguri Baikunthapur Rajbari according to the old traditions.
Maa Durga is offered varieties of fish in ‘Bhog’ everyday
The ‘Bhog’ or offering to the Goddess comprises varieties of fish every day at Baikunthapur Rajbari.
The royal family’s tradition is to offer non-vegetarian food to the Goddess on all four days of Durga Puja at the Baikunthpur Rajbari, which is still followed. From Maha Saptami to Dashami (Dusshera), five types of fried vegetables and cooked fish are offered along with pulav and fried rice. Hilsa, Chital, Pabda, Catla, prawns and other kinds of fish are offered to Goddess Durga. On Dashami, the last bhog before visarjan comprises ‘Paanta Bhat’ (cooked rice soaked and fermented in water) along with Shapla (water lillies), fried Puti fish and Hilsa fish curry.
Visarjan
Even though tourists from across the country and even abroad flock to witness this Durga Puja, family members do not witness the Goddess’ Visarjan (immersion) as per the royal family’s tradition. Goddess Durga’s idol is taken to the family pond in a chariot and the family members bid her farewell with gunfire. This is followed by ‘Sidur Khela’ (applying vermillion) and finally, immersion.