Kali Puja in city traces its roots to Bagha Jatin, Netaji
The Statesman | 20 October 2025The Puja, steeped in history and heritage, traces its association with freedom fighters Bagha Jatin and Netaji. A symbol of patriotism and unity, the club believes in the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee’s call to celebrate festivals maintaining religious harmony.
Freedom fighter Bagha Jatin was one of founding members of Pathuriaghata Bayam Samity, part of Anushilan Samity. “The freedom fighter’s great grandson, Prithwindra Mukherjee, who stays in France, has confirmed this. The club was shut down in 1912 after the death of Bagha Jatin but reopened in 1924 with the active interest of political leader Atulya Ghosh, said puja joint secretary Shapath Kumar Samanta.
The reopened club was started on the banks of the Ganges, now called Prasanna Kumar Tagore Ghat. Many of the freedom fighters used to come to this club to learn stick fighting martial arts, said Mr Samanta.
In 1928, the club first performed its Kali Puja. Later, the puja moved to the present location of Jadulal Mullick Rd-Pathuriaghata St crossing.
During 1930–1931, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose himself presided over the committee as president, after being elected the mayor of Kolkata.
Among the highlights of the puja are its 31-foot idol, which is adorned with close to 100 kg of ornaments, donated by the devotees. Around 400–500 married women observe fasts (uposha) and offer prayers on Kali Puja day, another feature of the puja.
