BALASORE:Influenced by Bengalis due to its close proximity with West Bengal, Balasore observes Durga puja as per the traditions and rituals followed in the neighbouring State.
The family pujas here are unique as they follow ancient traditions. A resident Umakanta Mishra said they feel it is worth being part of these pujas for nostalgia. “There are many differences between family puja and community puja. The community pujas might be highly decorated, but the family pujas are rich in rituals,” he pointed out.
The annual festival was first started at Barabati in Balasore town by the then Zamindar Shyam Charan Kar in 1863. A few years later, Madan Das of Barabati started another family puja which was followed by the forefather of Raja Baikunthanath Dev.
Later, two other Zamindars in Soro and Laxmannath worshipped the Goddess. Two more families- Haldar and Ghose - have also been worshiping the Goddess as their family deity in Balasore town.
“Till date, family pujas in Soro and Laxmannath besides the Kar family puja and Raja family puja have been attracting crowds from far off places for their uniqueness coupled with ancient traditions,” said an eminent citizen, Santanu Das.
The Kar family started Durga puja 152 years ago. At that time, they were the only one to celebrate the festival in the district. They follow the rituals as per the oldest puja mandaps in West Bengal. The puja here starts from the next day of Mahalaya and continues for 10 days. According to Purna Chandra Kar, the eldest member of Kar family, they offer rice and pulses to the Goddess (instead of sacrificing any animal). On the day of immersion, Devi is taken out in a procession on the shoulders of the locals and not through any vehicle. After idol immersion, all the family members congregate and the younger ones take the blessings of elders.
But the Raja family follows some unique culture and tradition when it comes to Devi worshipping. And perhaps this is the only family in the State where daughters have kept their forefathers’ tradition alive. However, the royal family was the first in Balasore to worship the idol of Durga as Kar family observed the festival by worshipping the idols of Hara and Parvati. Till date, both families have been following their traditions with equal vigour and devotion.
After the demise of Raja Baikunthanath, his brother Satyendranath Dev’s family has kept the tradition alive. Now the daughters and wife of Prithvinath Dev, great-grandson of Satyendra, are worshipping Devi in their palace as he had no son.
Earlier, Durga puja in Balasore was compared with the puja celebration in West Bengal, but after the abolition of Zamindari and royal status, it has almost lost its sheen. This year, the coastal town has 85 puja pandals. Elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the puja.