We stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦 STOP WAR
DocumentaryIndia

Aagomoni

The Bhowanipore Mitra Bari Durga Puja, was originally started by the late Narsingha Mitra in 1757 at Nilgopal Mitra Lane with ten prominent hands as is prevalent in many Goddess Durga idols. However, in 1892 the late Subodh Chandra Mitter (alias Mitra), the family’s 26th generation shifted the Puja to the Paddapukur Road House architecturally designed to have three arch structures. One of the daughter-in-law’s in the family back then is believed to have dreamed about the Goddess, who instructed to get gold ornaments for her two hands. From then onwards, the Goddess was brought to form with two prominent arms and the remaining 8 became rudimentary, hidden behind Devi Durga’s tresses.

The idol worshipped here in the traditional Ekchala format has several unique features. For instance the Chalchitra also known as (Debi Chal or Durga Chala), the background of the Durga idol. Originating from the Patachitra art in Bengal, the one in Mitra Bari describes the marriage between Lord Shiva and Devi Durga through imagery. Usually depicted as riding a lion, Devi Durga’s ride here takes the form of a Ghotak – horse. Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi who usually ride the Swan and Owl respectively, don’t have any in this Puja.

With the Covid pandemic playing spoilsport for two years, the present generation’s helmsman Mr. Supriyo Mitra is hopeful that this year the family will gather together again in the festivities and celebration. This also comes at a time when the UNESCO recognised the ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ under its representative list of intangible cultural heritage.

The Traditional Ekchala structure
Arrival
Ushering the Devi in
Overseeing
Preparing to be brought in
The Other side of festival
Welcome Home
Durga Puja at Bhowanipore Mitra Bari
Durga Puja festival starts with a tiny visitor
Support PRIVATE Photo Review Support us today →

Debarshi Mukherjee

Debarshi Mukherjee (b. (1984), an Indian born photographer, has been associated in the field of photography for the last 3-4 years. He was recently… More »

Leave your opinion:

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button
×
Close

Adblock Detected

We use advertisements to keep our website online.

Please whitelist our website in your adblocking plugin