Durga Puja of Keshabpur in Mahisadal

Activists protest against animal sacrifice rituals
Biswabrata Goswami MAHISADAL, Oct. 7: Like every year, 300-year-old Maity family Durga puja of Keshabpur in Mahisadal has attracted the wrath of animal rights activists for patronising animal sacrifice during the puja.The activists cannot do much to stop the practice unless the state government comes forward to implement the Animals and Birds Sacrifice Prohibition Act like Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Though, the animal rights activists believe it’s shameful that this "medieval custom" is still followed here.Dr Subrata Maity, secretary of the Mahisadal zonal committee of West Bengal Vigyan Manch said: “We organise regular movements against this practice but since this is attached with Hindu rituals, we cannot stop it by merely taking a drive. We are trying to motivate the people and the Maity family not to patronise any animal sacrifice rituals during the puja for many years, but little has changed. More support from administration, panchayat and politicians is required to stop the practice here. But, I hope we will be able to stop animal sacrifice in the coming days.”Mr Bankim Maity, one of the successors of the Maity family said: “They have no custom to offer animals before the Goddess but the tradition has forced them to do it. Many years ago, a Brahmin who was against the sacrifice of animals was punished by the Divine force. Since then, the family continues the animal sacrifice during the puja and local residents participate in the rituals. Like every year, hundreds of goats will be slaughtered in front of the temple and over 100 people have already written their names before the puja authorities till 9 a.m. today and this figure will rise by tomorrow.” source: the statesman

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Durga Puja in Mahisadal Kolkata West Bengal

The rural feel of Pujas in Mahisadal

Biswabrata Goswami
MAHISADAL, Oct. 1: The traditional countdown to the Durga Pujas begins with the Mahalaya, celebrated a couple of days ago. While less than a week remains for the grand festival, if you’re one of those who’s still contemplating on a destination to visit, perhaps considering Mahisadal as an option would be interesting. Reveling in the rural feel of the Pujas in Mahisadal could be an experience of a lifetime.

Mahisadal is one such place where community pujas, like bari pujas, are observed in the traditional way. In more recent times, community pujas, locally termed baroari pujas, have run riot with wacky themes. But the traditional puja held in the Mahisadal Royal palace continue to hold considerable appeal.

Although the majesty and festivity surrounding these century-old pujas are gradually fading into a remembered past, they still appeal and attract the

common people here. The residents of Mahisadal and its surrounding areas eagerly await Durga Pujas throughout the year.

The Mahisadal royal family puja starts with the Mahalaya. Queen Janakidevi first started this puja in 1778. Earlier, a large number of cultural events would be held during the Pujas but now with most of the members of the family staying outside Bengal, such events are no longer held.
Here, goddess Durga is decorated and ornamented with the use of thermocol in the traditional style, akin to the idol of Goddess Durga that was first installed by the queen Indranidevi during her regime.

In the past, animal sacrifices would be made to the Goddess, but this custom too was abolished during the freedom struggle. Many old customs were subsequently abrogated.

The Pujas held in the Roy and Mishra families of Basulia and Baruttarhingli respectively of Mahishadal are similar. Both these Pujas are over 300 years old. Apart from pujas, the chariot festival held on the day of Bijoyadashami in the predominantly Muslim dominated Rambag area is another major attraction for the residents of Mahisadal. People from all parts of Mahishadal and Haldia town gather in Rambag for this fair.

Previously, the chariot would be decorated with brass ornaments. However, the original chariot has now been replaced by a chariot about ten feet in height. The festivities centre around Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita. On this particular day, the idol of Ram is taken from the Ramjew temple and placed on the chariot. The chariot is then driven to a nearby field where small huts are erected and an artificial Ashokekanan is built.source: the statesman