Today is Sri Sri Shakuntala Rakshakali Puja. One of the biggest Puja of Hooghly dist. & the biggest of Konnagar. On this day, entire Konnagar doesn't sleep. The Nabagram-vasis wait for this one day whole year. I consider myself lucky as I got to see this divine ancient Puja.
1/n
1/n
This year the Puja has turned 132 years today. 132 years ago, it was started at Kalitala. Among the ancient pujas of Konnagar in Hooghly district, the most traditional Rakshakali puja is the puja of Shakuntala Rakshakali Ma.
2/n
2/n
Every year in the Baisakh month on Krishna tritiya or the Saturday immediately after that, this Annual Puja is done. Shakuntala Rakshakali Puja's popularity isn't only limited to Konnagar or Hooghly. Devotees from Bengal and various parts of country too come here on this day.
3/n
3/n
This Mandir is situated in mid of a big math. During this Puja, a big fair is organised which used to be of one month earlier but now it's a few days affair.
4/n
4/n
Ma Rakshakali is Nagarik roop of Devi Dakshina. Rakshakali, as the name suggests, is the protector. From the ancient times, She's worshipped as the Protector. To protect the city or locality, She's worshipped. At some places, Devi Dakshina Kali is worshipped as Ma Rakshakali.
5/n
5/n
This Puja as per Bangabda, was started in 1297 by the Chakraborty Bari Bhuswami (landlord) . The first Puja was done in the Baisakh month of Krishna Paksha on Saturday. This Puja is conducted by the Baroari committee which was registered in 1395.
6/n
6/n
Even after the Brits. had started laying railway lines here, this area was a dense forest & was home to thugs & dacoits. The dacoits used to start their yearly business after worshipping the Dakait Kali. Under Asvattha tree, there's Ma er than & wood where Pashubali is given.
7/n
7/n
On that tree vultures (শকুন) live. That's why one more name of Ma is Shakuntala Rakshakali. On the night of Chandrabhuk Amavasya, the dacoits used to come and give Chagbali, Mahishbali & sometimes Narbali to get their wishes fulfilled.
8/n
8/n
After applying castor oil on their bodies, the thugs and dacoits go out with sticks for a robbery. One of the speciality of this Puja is that Devi Ma doesn't see the sun. This is the reason Her Pratima is made always after sunset and never before that.
9/n
9/n
There's no vigraha inside this big Mandir. There's a big platform (Bedi) which is worshipped. The clay idol is made only once and for this biggest Puja only, at the order of the royal family. Except for the Shakuntala Rakshakali Puja, there's no idol worship throughout year.
10/n
10/n
After the dvitiya prahar is over, the Puja of Ma begins and visarjan is done before sun rises. She never sees the sun. Ma Rakshakali is awake/ in active form here. Every wish of the devotees gets fulfilled here.
11/n
11/n
Shakuntala Rakshakali Puja differs from other Pujas. The process of idol making is different too. In the mixture, milk and Desi mod (মদ) are added too. A day before Puja, innumerable devotees after 12 am, come to take dip in the holy Ganga river with their Mangal Ghats and +
12/n
12/n
+ they bring water from river to pour it at the holy platform (Bedi) / Altar & this continues whole night. After taking dip in the Ganga river, women wash the entire lane which leads to the Shakuntala Rakshakali Mandir.
13/n
13/n
In the early morning itself, the Bedi on which Ma's idol is to be placed, is taken to the Ganga Ghat & washed with holy water. The pratima of Ma is given finishing touch & after dressing and giving Her ornaments. The royal family comes & offers the valuable ornaments to Ma.
14/n
14/n
Once the decoration is done, next day around 5:45 pm, Ma is taken to the Mandir. Ma is lifted on the shoulders and a big procession is held. Amidst the holy procession & divine dhvani of Dhak, Ma is taken to the Mandir. Batasha, laddoo, flowers are thrown at the huge crowd.
15/n
15/n
This is the time when crowd is so large and the streets are occupied fully. The devotees wait for this moment to watch Ma coming. There's a large crowd all eager to witness the procession of Ma. Batasha is thrown at the crowds & whoever gets that is considered to be lucky.
16/n
16/n
The Bengali men all decked up in traditional wear- Dhuti, make the arrangements for carrying the idol. The Mangal Ghats are taken to the temple along with the idol of Ma. After that the Puja begins. There is a very long queue for giving Anjali to Ma.
17/n
17/n
Many devotees bring pashu with them to offer those to Ma. Pashubali happens in large numbers here. After Pashubali, Homam, yagya starts. The next morning before the sun rises, visarjan of Devi is done. Arrival of Ma in Her place of worship marks the inauguration ++
18/n
18/n
++ of the grand annual Rakshakali Puja and Mela organised in the temple complex.
19/n
19/n
Note: It's advisable not to keep picture of Ma Shakuntala Rakshakali in your phone, laptop etc. If you click pictures for purpose of sharing, delete after doing so. The roop of Devi is scary (Ugra roop) therefore advisable not to keep.
Joy Ma Shakuntala Rakshakali 🙏🔱🐚
20/n
Joy Ma Shakuntala Rakshakali 🙏🔱🐚
20/n
All picture credits me. Don't mind the quality. It is too crowdy to take pictures perfectly.
21/n
21/n
Loading suggestions...