Beniatola’s Jagaddhatri Puja celebrated 26th year with grandeur

*Beniatola’s Jagaddhatri Puja (26th year) highlight Goddess Durga adorned with 15 tolas of gold and 1 kilogram of silver
As in previous years, this year, a grand Jagaddhatri Puja was held in Beniatola Lane, North Kolkata, under the auspices of the Beniatola Lane Sri Sri Jagaddhatri Puja Committee. The four-day puja was inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of distinguished personalities. Cultural programs were held on Wednesday, followed by a ritualistic worship of the Goddess. Twenty-five years ago, 10 members of the committee, including Deepak Basak, the late Arup Nag, Surjo Mukherjee and Debashish Sen, initiated this Puja with the aim of bringing well-being to the area and distributing offerings to every household.

This year marks the 26th year of the puja. It is worth noting that the same tradition continues today. The committee has also included young faces to carry forward the tradition. President Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary Devayudh Basak and Shubham Chakraborty have taken charge of the Puja.

President Prakash Pandey explained that this Puja is completely donation-free. Committee members contribute according to their own will. The women’s enthusiasm for the puja is palpable. Joint Secretary Devayudh explained that the women of the committee prepare the offerings to the Mother Goddess idol during the puja. Additionally, approximately 3,000 packets of offerings are distributed to every household in the area. He further explained that the idol’s face has remained the same for the past 25 years. He added that the Mother Goddess idol has been adorned with 15 tolas of gold and 1 kilogram of silver jewelry.

A colorful cultural program was held on Friday, followed by a grand, fanfare-filled immersion ceremony. Following the immersion, a feast was also organized for reconciliation, where committee members gathered with gaiety.