"আমাদের মা, মাঠে পড়ে থাকবে না, মায়ের নিজের দেবালয়ে মা থাকবেন।" (Our Supreme Mother/Our Goddess, will not stay abandoned & neglected in the field. She will have Her very own Devalaya and reside there). If you're seeing the post, please give your few minutes & read it till end.

This is about the Digambari Ma and Her thaan in the Dhuluri village, an unknown village of Purulia. This village has an important part of Rarh Bangla's history. Due to neglect and apathy, many of the ancient vigrahas lie abandoned here and there.

As fish is considered very auspicious in our culture, it is a very important part of Bengali marriages too. In one of the rituals called "Gatraharidra Tattva," the biggest available fresh Rohu fish is decked up like a bride in saree, sindoor, nolok, jewellery, paan, turmeric ++



+ and is sent to the bride along with the bridal trousseau. Fish is a symbol of fertility, good luck and prosperity. The gesture of groom's family gifting the bride is their way of extending their wishes for her happiness as she embarks upon this new journey. ++

The Annapoorna Mata Puja of Shantipur by the Suvarna Baniks of Bengal has started today. Unlike other Annapoorna Pujas of Bengal, this 5 days Puja starts from Maghi Purnima i.e. today. The Barabazar Siddheshwari Tala's Annapoorna Mata Puja turned 167 years old today.
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#Bengal

Though the Puja is managed by suvarna baniks of Sonapatti, this Puja was started by Kunjbehari Saha, the owner of Zamindar trust & a residence of Shantipur's Gopalpur. Although he was a resident of Gopalpur, his business center was located where this puja is held.
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This is one of the Surya Pujas of Bengal. Popularly known as Maghmandala brata among East Bengalis. This is observed by kumaris & start doing vrata from the age of 4-5. This Surya Puja observed throughout the Magh mas. Surya Dev is worshipped by drawing mandala & not any murti.

On the day of the vrata, the vratinis take bath before sunrise, go to the ghat in clean clothes and chant the mantra to the sun and says in durbaghas mouth. In this vrata, through the description of Surya's marriage, the vrati expresses her wish for marriage.

What's currently happening in Bangladesh needs immediate attention & GOI's intervention. It's very sad how our Shakti Peeths are being polluted by both internal & external forces. Now it's very strong & sacred teertha kshetra Chandranath Dham which has been captured by islamists.



Chandranath Hill, Sitakund of Chittagong is a very holy site as it's not only a Shakti Peeth but also the abode of Chandranath, Bhagavan Shiva Himself. Not only Bangladeshi Hindus but Hindus from every corner of this world should raise voice against the
constant desecration ++

Kaali-roopini Sita-

The Sages were worried seeing Sri Rama- the Lord Himself, in such condition. They started doing shanti path in distress. Janaki laughed seeing everything. When sages enquired reason behind laughter, She told that there is no glory in killing Ravana of Lanka.

https://twitter.com/_Agnijwala_/status/1721823628151636473

Killing him is a joke. In the Pushkar Dveepa, there lives a Sahasramukhi Ravana who is thousand times stronger than the Ravana of Lanka. Killing the Sahasramukhi Ravana of the Pushkar Dveepa would be the real glory.

Kali-Kali-Mahakali!

Seeing Sri Rama lying unconscious on the Pushpak vimaan, Janak nandini revealed Herself. She assumed the ferocious and horrifying form of Mahakali and entered the war. Embraced Her husband who was still holding His bow arrow & His lotus eyes were closed shut. Finding the Sahasramukha Ravana rejoicing his stupendous feat, Mahakali Sita laughed ferociously in a bone chilling tone. She stepped down from the Pushpak vimaan with sword in Her one hand and a hollowed out skull in another.

We Bengalis don't claim Durga Puja.
Nobody can claim Gods. What makes Bengalis' Durga Puja special is our culture, our emotions, our way of worship. That pure bond we share with Ma. It is this state where the Supreme Goddess is worshipped as Mother & taken care of as a daughter.



Bengal celebrates Durga Puja literally as the festival of the homecoming of the dearest beloved daughter- Uma. Uma is not an ordinary daughter.. this shouldn't be forgotten. Our whole life revolves around this Puja. Bijoya Dashami is the saddest day for every Bengali.

The picture is based on the Kshirgram Shaktipeeth Jogadya who is the "Paatal Bhairavi," a Goddess worshipped by Mahiravan. I discussed the Mahiravan part earlier too but it needs special mention so wrote separately & have given this link in previous blog.
bhabatarinibangabhumi.home.blog/2023/06/15/the… The story of Mahiravan is not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana but is mentioned in few regional Ramayana-s, one of those being the Krittibasi Ramayana & other one reference I've found in Ananda Ramayana. Please note that my writeup covers only the Krittibasi version of Ramayana.

Another very important Puja among WBs which happens throughout year is Shitola Puja. Day after Saraswati Puja, Shitola Shasthi is observed. As per custom, Ma Shasthi is worshipped and Stove isn't lit this day. The Bhog cooked the day before (on Saraswati Puja) is eaten cold.
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The bhog is offered to Devi first. It is customary to eat Gota Sheddho (wholly boiled vegetables). Apart from Gota Sheddho, different other types of vegetables, bhajas, Payesh, Doi, papad & many things are cooked. Depending upon family tradition, fish too is offered to Devi.
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