The Annapoorna Mata Puja of Shantipur by the Suvarna Baniks of Bengal has started today. Unlike other Annapoorna Pujas of Bengal, this 5 days Puja starts from Maghi Purnima i.e. today. The Barabazar Siddheshwari Tala's Annapoorna Mata Puja turned 167 years old today.
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#Bengal
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#Bengal
Though the Puja is managed by suvarna baniks of Sonapatti, this Puja was started by Kunjbehari Saha, the owner of Zamindar trust & a residence of Shantipur's Gopalpur. Although he was a resident of Gopalpur, his business center was located where this puja is held.
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At that time there were only five gold shops in this area. The suvarna baniks also lived there. Kunjbehari also included them in the puja work. Over time, when the zamindari system was abolished and business declined, the suvarna baniks started conducting this Puja.
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Once during the puja, Kunjbehari Babu became distressed & prayed to Annapurna that he wants to leave this world before the end of the Puja. When the preparations for visarjan were complete, Kunjbehari Babu left this world. Visarjan was postponed & cremation was done that day.
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A special type of shukno payesh bhog is prepared for Devi on the day of Her visarjan. Annakshetra is held on the fifth day of Puja. Fish is cooked and kept infront of Devi Annapoorna. Consumption of fish by others is prohibited as it's offered to Devi.
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There's a pond named "Annapoorna pukur" after Devi to manage the expenses of Her Puja. It's customary to give fish to the people who take lease. That fish is fried and given to everyone as Prasad. Though the fish is kept infront of Devi, it's not offered to Her.
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On the day of visarjan, Devi Annapoorna is placed infont of the pond & stick bundles made of cow dung are burnt & a beautiful scene is created around pond. Many people come to see this scene reflected in the water of the pond.
Translated from Shantipur page.
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#Bengaliculture
Translated from Shantipur page.
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#Bengaliculture
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