Bonedi Pujos of Chandannagar-Bhadreshwar Area
Pujas in Chandannagar proper
Seth Bari, Palpara
The house of the Seth family, a declared heritage structure by the West Bengal Heritage Commission, is known for it Durga Puja. The Seths, one of the most prominent mercantile families of Chandannagar, are intrinsically tied to the history of the city, the most prominent of them being Harihar Seth, the well-known historian, philanthropist and socialite who was awarded the Legion d' honneur.
Location- opposite to the Palpara Jagatdhatri Puja Samiti (click here)
Pal Bari, Kundughat
In contrast to Chinsurah, Chandannagar has only one house where the goddess is worshipped in her traditional Hara-Gauri form, which is in the Pal Bari.
Location- click here
Ghosh Bari, Fatakgora
Also known for its Jagatdhatri and Kali Pujas, the 228-year-old Puja of the Ghosh bari is done according to Baishnab rituals.
Location- click here
Bose Bari, Bose Para
One of the oldest Pujas in Chandannagar, the Boses have been said to have been worshipping Durga for more than 500 years, back when the family settled here due to its closeness to river Saraswati, which was a wide commercial route back then.
Location- click here
Rakshit Bhaban, Lal Bagan
Started in the mid-19th century, the Durga Puja of Rakshit bari. The Rakshits, or what the French would pronounce 'Rouquitte' migrated to Chandernagore around the mid-18th century. The most famous individual of this family was undoubtedly Monsieur Durga Charan Rakshit, a powerful merchant in the French golbal trade, socialite, philanthropist, and first recipient of the Legion d' honneur from the French government. The famous Rakshit Ghat in the Chandannagar Strand was built in his memory by his son Shyamacharan Rakshit.
Location- click here
Notun Tilir Bhaban, Lichutola
Location- the lane opposite to the Chandannagar Fire Brigade building (click here)
Gopal Dham, Charmandirtala
Originating as powerful traders in Satgaon (Saptagram), the Mondols of Gondalpara have been celebrating Durga Puja for around 200 years, retaining the age-old unique rituals such as tying of the fruit 'rochona' and the worship of Durga in the Baishnab mawt.
Location- near Kachari Ghat (click here)
Pujas in Mankundu
Khan Bari
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| (picture credit- Aniruddha Datta) |
The mercantile family of Khan in Mankundu emerged from low social origins to become powerful traders and zamindars. They celebrate Durga Puja not in the traditional clay idol, but in the form of an ashtadhatu image.
Location- near the Mankundu Railway station, Opposite to Mankundu Sporting Club (click here)
Pujas in Bhadreshwar Area
Dey Bari, Dey Para
Known primarily for its 200 year old Kali Puja, the De family also celebrates Durga Puja. The thakurdalan of this house is one of the most ornate in the region.
Location- Close to Barasat Liberty Gate (click here)
Kundu Bari, Dey Para
Just a stone throw away from Dey Bari is the house of the Kundu family, who worship Durga in the form of an ashtadhatu idol, starting from the day of Ashtami.
Location- click here
Annapurna Temple Durga Puja, Telenipara
The Annapurna temple of Telenipara was established by Baidyanath Bandyopadhyay more than 220 years ago. The Banerjees/Bandyopadhyays were well-known philanthropists and zamindars of the Telenipara area, having estates across Bengal and moving in the elite circles of Calcutta in the 19th century. The temple dedicated to Annapurna not only had an alms house attached to it, it also celebrates Durga Puja annually, alongside the unique family ritual of Rath yatra on the day of Akshay Tritiya.
Location- click here
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