Savour rich tradition and heritage at this 105-year-old Puja in North Bengal

Darjeeling: Are you a weary tourist, homesick for Durga Puja back home? Want to get the feel of a "Probashi Pujo" in Bengal? Don't like the hustle bustle of the city and want to spend some quiet time but don't want to miss Durga puja- then the must visit Puja for you in the Darjeeling Hills is the puja organised by the Nripendra Narayan Bengali Hindu Hall (NNBHH.) The Puja is one of the oldest in North Bengal and hits the 105 year mark this year.

No pandal is erected for the Puja and the idol is placed in the main altar of the temple belonging to the NNBHH — named after the erstwhile Maharaja of Coochbihar.

The hall is located at Chandmari, a stone's throw distance from the Darjeeling motor stand and bazaar.

The temple though small in size, resembles the famous Jagganath Temple of Puri, and has exotic wooden frescoes depicting mythological themes.

The main idol of the temple is a monolithic statue of Narayan hence the temple is also popularly known as the "Gopal Mandir," but is better known as the Sree-Mandir.

From Pushpanjali to Bhog and Arati everything echoes of tradition –preserved religiously through the ages, yet preserving the hill simplicity.

"As we don't have a pandal and continue with the age old tradition there is no concept of theme puja. It also lacks the glitter of big budget pujas of the cities. Yet it is a puja where all join in and observe as their own family puja. We welcome all including the tourists to participate," stated Sadhan Mitra, President of the Puja committee.

This year the entire decoration is being done with flowers. "It is for the first time that Darjeeling will get to see such floral decoration during pujas. The entire temple which is 62 feet in height and 38 feet in breadth has been decorated with flowers. Even the welcome gate is made of flowers," stated Subasish Sengupta, a member.

The puja was inaugurated by Swami Nityasatyananda, Centre Head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Darjeeling on Thursday evening.

"This is a Puja which continues the rich tradition and heritage. Great names like Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Acharya J. C. Bose and the great revolutionary Bagha-Jatin had all paid visits to this hall. It is said that even K.L. Saigal, the legendary singer had once offered pushpanjali during the Durag Puja" stated the Swamiji.

The style of the image has been kept the same as in the old days- the Akchala Thakur adorned with the Daker Saj. Most of the Bengali residents of Darjeeling working outside, return to spend their Pujas here.

For four days most of the Bengali families are present in the Puja premises. Bhog is offered from Shaptami to Nabami. All present enjoy a community meal together. In the evening after a bout of Arati, cultural shows, and plays are staged in the auditorium.

In the old days plays used to be staged all night long. The Pushpanjali, Bhog (served with proper seating arrangements), Kumari Puja along with the Evening Aarati and cultural programmes are immense crowd pullers (mainly the tourists).

Bisarjan (emersion) is also unique. The image is carried on the shoulder and taken all over town and then by a truck to a spring called Bangla Khola near Sonada, 16 km from Darjeeling town for immersion. After the immersion, all the members gather at the hall to take part in Bijoya Sammelan. Blessings are sought from the elders, greetings are exchanged and sweets (traditionally the Malpua) distributed.