How this heritage family from Kolkata is gearing up to celebrate Durga puja this year

With Durga puja a few days away, it’s the old heritage puja by the Bonedi families of North Kolkata who have started for a much low key celebration, that sees almost a 360-degree turn.

The year 2020 has seen that one had not expected to happen, right from the whole world locking itself up. With less than a month left for Durga Puja, the city of joy- Kolkata is making its way to welcome Ma Durga home. The biggest festive carnival of Bengal is going to be a much low key affair this year with several restrictions aligning with the pandemic safety protocols.

Burrabazar Mallick Bari

Amongst all the chaos it’s the Bonedi bari who are all gearing up for the big celebration starting with Kathoma puja on Rath Yatra. Barun Mallick of Burrabazar Mallick bari which sees 167th year of Durga Utsav this year says “Every year for all the five days of the puja we arrange grand bhog- offerings for all the people who visit our home for darshan. On an average 400-500 people come and have bhog, but this year however there will be no outsiders, only core family members who will be around. We also getting only two cooks in place of seven unlike each year”.

Shovabazar Rajbari

From scaling down all celebrations to cutting down on the number of people visiting the house all Bonedi bari have adapted the new normal. They have all given up on century-old traditions that were being held. Shovabazar Rajbari that’s known for one of the most iconic heritage puja in the city sees a change in their idol. Their ekchala (Single frame) style will see a change, and all idols will be made into parts so that becomes easier for immersion. Ma Durga, her lion and the asura will be together, while Goddess Saraswati, Laxmi, Ganesh and Kartik will be made separately. The structure’s size has also been significantly reduced. Furthermore, the spectacular immersion on two boats in the Ganges will no longer be happening either.

Mallick Bari

While another eminent Mallick Bari Pujo by actor Ranjit Mallick that celebrates its 96th year in 2020, adds “along with sanitizing the flowers for pushpanjali, there will be proper guards to see the necessary checks. Pujo this year will see no elaborate bhog and as usual Nadu (coconut laddu) will be made at home only. Mr Mallick who goes to the house on Shasti says he will not step out of the house till Ekdashi to reduce all contacts.

Jorasakho Daw Bari

Even in the so-called faded away feel of Durga Puja amongst all restrictions, masks, sanitisers, thermal checks and more; Jorasakho Daw Bari Banduk Babshahi is all set to celebrate 161st year of pujo. By laying down rules for no outside photographers, flowers being sanitized and no cutting of fruits; these are some of the ways by which the new normal will be practised. Kola Bou chaan of his traditional pujo will also be done at home with Gangajal.

Baghbazar Haldar Bari

While most Bonedi bari have reduced the size of idol, Baghbazar Haldar Bari celebrating their 447th year will see no change. The idol here is not made of clay but of Kasthipathar (touchstone) and hence it’s worshipped daily. As Dr Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, the grandson of the family quotes “this year we will have all deep-fried sweets, nothing that is made of pure chena and is perishable. We will also be calling one dhaki in place of eight but shall make sure that each gets their share of monetary benefit as they are also like family. We shall also do a live telecast of some of our rituals so that those who missed visiting can catch a glimpse”.

As Ma prepares for her journey back home on earth, each house is gearing up for the celebration with open arms with restrictions being the keynote of 2020s celebrations.

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