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Sobha Bazar Rajbari Durga Puja
Sobha Bazar Rajbari Durga Puja is performed in both the houses the family owns set adjacent to each other. "Baghbari" owned by Gopimohon Deb was constructed after the original residence was made by Raja Nabakrishna Deb.

Raja Nabakrishna Deb was the famous exponent of Hinduism during the Brahmo Samaj Movement by Raja Rammohon Roy. It was in the year 1757 after the Battle of Plassy, Durga Puja was initiated.

Rituals of Sobha Bazar Raj Bari

Durga Puja at the Rajbari commences on the Rath Yatra day when the the wooden frame work of the idol is worshipped. The Durga idol is made inside the household. Bodhon starts 15 days before Nabami. For the Deb family, Goddess Durga is no one other than the daughter of their household idol, Gopinath Jeu.

The 'Ek Chala' Goddess is decorated with ornaments made of silver foils known as 'Daker Saaj'. The silver foils which were imported from Germany came through post meaning 'dak' and thus the decoration came to be known as 'Daker Saaj'. The idol of Sobha Bazar Raj Bari is adorned with gold ornaments like nose ring and 'bindi', the only metal used.

The rituals of Belbaran (Amantran Adhibash) on Sasthi breathes in life in the Goddess.This famous and glamorous Puja of Calcutta had Canons fired at the time of Sandhi Puja. But today cannons have replaced guns. Debs' perform a ritual called "Kanakanjali". Gold coins dating to the time of Akbar's reign were thrown at married women with children.

The Bisarjan ceremony (Immersion)

Tarpan, a ritual performed to let the dead ancestors know of the Puja is performed in the Dashami morning though immersion takes place in the evening. The Bisarjan ceremony (Immersion) is a spectacular affair.Women dress in red and white saris while men wear dhotis carrying seven golden umbrellas. A musical band play along and two Nilkantha Birds are released. Around 60 men lend their shoulders to the goddess on her way to the river. Previously the band was hired from Scotch Highlander (Gorar Baddi).The myth behind the release of Nilkantha Birds is interesting. The first Nilkantha is set free to go to Kailash to convey the message of Devi Durga's departure to Shiva. The other Nilkantha bird is set free in the middle of the river to ensure the message has been conveyed in case the first one fails. The holy water collected after the immersion is called "Gana shanti jal" which is sprinkled on everyone present.

 SABORNO DURGA PUJA || SEAL DURGA PUJA || LAHA BARI CHATUBABU LATUBABU || MUKHERJEE DURGA PUJA  
PATHURIYAGHATA DURGA PUJA || MITRA BARI    
SOVA BAZAR RAJ BARI || HATKHOLA DUTTA BARI
BISHU MUKHUJEE BARI || MULLICK BARI
MUKHERJEE PARIVAR (Dum Dum)

Traditional Durga pujas in Bengali households
( inside Calcutta )