500 YEAR OLD MANASHA PUJA CELEBRATED AT JALPAIGURI

By Gargi Deb (TNI Jalpaiguri) ~ Edited By R. Subrata (TNI Siliguri)

Webdesk, TNI Siliguri, 18th August, 2015: The 500-year-old ancient Manasha Puja started from yesterday at Jalpaiguri’s Baikunthapur Rajbari. The celebration will continue for the next 3 days. Devotees defying the bandh came in large numbers to the Rajbari temple to offer puja. Several Goats, Pigeons, Pancha Fruits etc. were sacrificed on account of the Snake Goddesses Manasha Puja. According to the history experts, the puja started in the year 1510 AD. The main attraction of this puja is Bishohori Gaan function. This Manasha Puja is one of the oldest Manasha Puja of Jalpaiguri. This puja basically was organized at Subarnapur, the capital of Raikat Kingdom. Later the pujas were transferred to the present place of Jalpaiguri. According to the predecessor of Raikat family Mr. Pranat Basu “The daily ritual of puja takes place at the Rajbari temple. However, during this time a special idol is being built to offer pujas at the permanent puja mandap. Along with Maa Manasha other deities like Maa Padma, Jarat, Karumani, Behula-Lakkhindar, Gada and Gadani are also present in the Puja Place”. During the 3 days long Manasha Puja every day three would be functions based on Rural Folk and a special village fair.

Photo: Gargi Deb (TNI)