From Mughals, British to the Centre, Durga Puja supported by all realms
The Statesman | 21 September 2025One of the oldest Durga Pujas to be celebrated every year, the Ghoshal Bari Puja dates back to the rule of Akbar. The Mughal emperor was well known for his religious tolerance and respect for all faiths. One of his acts was to issue a Panja (certificate recognising zamindari rights) to the Ghoshal family of Konnagar in the late 16th Century.
At the same time, he asked the then zamindar of the Ghoshal dynasty to conduct their family Durga Puja in the barwari form (Durga Puja open to all of the area). At the instructions of Akbar, the Ghoshal Bari family Durga Puja took a shape that still holds today, thrown open for the common people, with mass participation and worship by all, irrespective of caste and creed.
The British took equal interest in this traditional family Durga Puja and even sanctioned a then princely amount of Rs 750 as contribution towards the customary festival. Former MLA from Uttarpara Prabir Ghoshal, while taking pride in announcing he is part of the present generation, said that this custom continues even today.
The practice that the British started over a century ago still continues. The central government still makes available a sum of Rs 750 for the Ghoshal Bari Durga Puja every year so that the family festival continues with the same verve and demeanour. This practice seems to justify the noble initiative taken by emperor Akbar so many years back.
Explaining the main events of the festival, Mr Ghoshal said Durga Puja celebrations begin from Mahalaya and the chanting of Chandipath, which welcomes the Goddess during her annual visit to earthly beings. The Puja continues till Vijaya Dashami, when people bid goodbye to the Goddess Durga. “Everyone from the area is invited to participate in the mass feast for five days. The then Zamindar was very strict in seeing that no fires were lit in any house to cook food,” he said.
Relations from far and near converge on Konnagar during the Puja. Nearly 200 family members turn up every year to celebrate Durga Puja in a grand manner. The idol of Goddess Durga is moulded and given its finished shape in the Thakur Dalan (big courtyard) of Ghoshal Bari. The Goddess’ lion is however worshipped in the form of Naro Singha.
No animal sacrifice is offered to Goddess Durga. On Dashami, the Goddess is immersed in the river Ganges in the afternoon, the traditional way of immersion being carrying the idol on two boats till mid river before keeling it into the water. People from all walks, irrespective of cast and creed, join in the Ghoshal Bari Durga Puja of Konnagar every year, sending out the message of religious tolerance, brotherhood and unity.
