Situated in Thanthania, Kolkata, the Thanthania Dey Barir Jagaddhatri Puja is one of the city’s historically significant and culturally rich Jagaddhatri worship traditions. Established in 1897 by Girish Chandra Dey, this family puja is celebrated every year on Nabami day with deep reverence and fervor. The puja premises are located at Manik Lal Dey’s house, close to the famous Thanthania Kalibari, providing a spiritual milieu steeped in history and tradition.
Key Historical and Cultural Features
-
Origins and Establishment: The puja was started in the late 19th century and has been maintained by the Dey family for over a century, passing down through multiple generations.
-
Location: Situated in the heart of Thanthania, the puja is held in a traditional family abode that features a charming 150-year-old dalan (worship hall), exuding an aura of antiquity and elegance.
-
Ritual Practices: The puja adheres to classic Shakta rituals rooted in Tantric traditions. The rituals include kumari puja and pushpanjali and normally avoid animal sacrifice since its discontinuation in 1989. The color of the goddess’s face in the idol is often compared to the stem of the Siuli flower, a distinctive traditional attribute.
-
Unique Artistic Aspects: The idol of the lion accompanying the goddess features a horse-like face (ghotak mukhi) unlike the typical lion visage seen in Bengal’s traditional iconography.
-
Nabami and Dasami Celebrations: Kanakanjali (offering of golden flowers) is performed on Dasami day, along with other rituals emphasizing the puja’s religious depth.
-
Community Involvement: The puja is a community affair where devotees from far and wide participate in the rituals, enhancing the puja’s significance and reach.
Spiritual Importance and Festive Atmosphere
Thanthania Dey Barir Jagaddhatri Puja stands out for its spiritually immersive environment. Devotees observe stringent rituals, including fasting and night-long worship, aligning closely with ancient scriptures. The puja creates a tranquil yet vibrant space for collective prayer and celebration.
The Thanthania Kalibari temple nearby adds to the religious aura, being a site revered by saints such as Ramakrishna Paramahansa, accentuating the holy ambiance of the area.
Preservation of Heritage
This puja serves as a living tribute to the heritage of North Kolkata’s bonedi families who take great efforts to maintain the age-old rituals, traditional puja sequences, and the distinctive cultural aura surrounding Jagaddhatri worship. It acts as a link between the past and the present, showcasing the rich tapestry of Bengal’s religious and cultural history.
Visiting Information
-
Location: Thanthania Dey Barir, Maniktala, Kolkata
-
Access: Easily reachable by metro (Girish Park station) and local transport.
-
Best Time: Celebrated annually on Nabami day in late October or early November during the Kartik lunar month.
