Sovabazar Rajbari (Boro Torof) puja Durga Puja at Sovabazar Rajbari (Boro Torof)
Our Puja started in 1757 and this tradition has been going on since there. Prasun Hazra, a sixth-generation descendant from Mathuramohan’s lineage, said, “Our puja is approximately 234 years old. Prior to 2003, we used to have ‘Pathabali‘ (goat sacrifice), but we stopped that ritual in 2003.
Who says what doesn’t affect our tradition,” Deb said. Family member Hijal Chatterjee said, “We will not make any changes to this as it is our family tradition. Kolkata: Bengal‘s historic bonedi families remain committed to preserving their centuries-old customs following the controversy sparked by Bageshwar Baba, who called for a boycott of people who consume non-vegetarian food during Navrarti. Rather than engaging in external debates, these households, including Sabarna Roy Chowdhury’s descendants and one wing of Sovabazar Rajbari, view their long-standing rituals — such as offering non-vegetarian bhog — as an inherent expression of their ancestral heritage and family faith. “The fish is offered to the goddess. The body is taken to the thakurdalan while its head is taken home by the one who sacrifices the catfish at the altar. The goddess is also offered rohu fish and vegetables. This is described as ‘siddha‘. The purohit then takes the ‘siddha’ home after the Nabami puja is over. Marking its 167th year, the Chorbagan Chatterjee family Durga Puja continues its traditional daily ritual of offering fish bhogs —including hilsa, bhekti, and pona — from Saptami to Dashami. The concept behind this is that Durga is considered our daughter who visits with her family. So, we offer the best items on the menu. ” While Janbazar Rani Rashmoni’s family offers a vegetarian bhog to the deity, they continue the tradition of serving non-vegetarian items to guests on Saptami and Nabami. Now, we offer a strictly vegetarian bhog to the Goddess, but we serve non-vegetarian items to our guests on Saptami and Nabami. We respect everyone’s food choices—even though my wife and I follow a strict vegetarian diet during the four days of Puja to perform the rituals, we never impose this practice on our guests. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata
Since then, catfish is sacrificed at the alter of this ‘bonedi’ house.