MUSLIM KALI: 100 YEAR OLD TRADITION OF INDO-BANGLA BORDER AT ISLAMPUR

Dipankar Dey

The Indo-Bangla border area under Islampur Police station popularly known as Hatkhola Village is also famous for its unique Kalipuja. Yes, its also known as Muslim Kali Puja. The people from nearby villages like Chaundi, Panchi, Jagtagaon, Banshbari, Talbari etc. visits this puja every year. However, when asked about the origin of the puja, nobody could correctly or confidently answer. Elderly people said that the puja is obviously more than 100 years old yet after separation of the nations also there was no downward escalation of its ritualistic fervor. A local cultural program is also held during this Kalipuja. The priest Mr. Jiten Talukdar himself makes the idol (pratima). One glance at the kali idol can give a terrifying outlook hence, it’s also known as “Bhoyonkari Kali” (Terrifying Kali). The BSF jawans also help in organizing the puja. After the puja, the idol is immersed in the border adjacent Dalancha River. The devotees in the other side then take away the water from the river. In other ways, it’s also known as the Milan Mela. However, due to the ongoing tension on either side of the border this tradition has got hiccups in recent times.

Photo: Dipankar Dey (TNI)
Translation: R. Subrata (TNI Siliguri)