The members of Nandi Bari were devoted worshippers of Lord Shiva and Shakti with all their heart and soul. Therefore, they built a Shiva temple and a Chandi Mandap made of eight big pillars. In 1610, the zamindars first introduced Durga Puja in Kolkata. On one hand, it was the worship of the Divine Mother, and on the other, it was also a display of their prosperity. In the same way, Durga Puja began at Nandi Bari of Medinipur, led by the zamindars — by the will of the Mother herself. Though the earlier grandeur may not remain the same today, there is never any shortcoming in the worship of the Mother.
🌼 The Beginning of the Idol Making
On the occasion of Shri Krishna’s Janmashtami, the ritual worship of the structure is performed and the straw framework is tied. On the day of Mahalaya, the Mother’s idol is painted. In this way, as the idol is crafted, the temple is painted, cleaned, and decorated, the day of Shashthi gradually arrives.
🌿 Maha Shashthi
On Maha Shashthi, the Mother appears beneath the Bel tree in the form of Chandi and accepts worship. On that day, a sacred pot (ghat) is also installed in the temple of the family deity Shri Radha Madhav.
🌿 Maha Saptami
On Saptami, the Mother adorns herself as Jagat Janani Rajrajeshwari. The sacred banana bride (Kola Bou) is bathed in the waters of the Kangsabati River and brought home. Then follows the rituals of offering eyes (Chokkhu Daan), clothing (Bostro Daan), food offerings (Naivedya Daan), and above all, heartfelt devotion and reverence to please the Mother. Evening Aarti is performed regularly with devotion.
🔱 Maha Ashtami
On Ashtami, numerous devotees gather at the house, offering flowers and Bel leaves at the Mother’s feet while chanting mantras, praying for the fulfillment of their heartfelt wishes. The Mother, with a smiling face, listens to all their prayers.
From Durga to Kali, from Chamunda to her fierce forms, the Mother descends to absolve sins and grant liberation. The priest cries out “Ma! Ma!” in deep emotion while chanting the mantra:
"Om Karalavadanam Ghoram Muktakeshim Chaturbhujam,
Kalikam Dakshinam Divyam Mundamala Vibhushitam."
At that time, the clay idol transforms into the embodiment of divine power. Amidst thick incense smoke, the Mother’s face seems to glow forth. Whether through trembling of the idol, falling of Bel leaves from devotees’ hands, or tears flowing from the eyes of the faithful — in some way or another, She makes it known that She has arrived.
It is as if this is the sacred moment of union between the deluded human soul and the Great Cosmic Mother.
🔱 Maha Navami
On Navami, the Mother comes in the form of a young girl and accepts worship in the ritual known as Kumari Puja. Adorned beautifully, the young girl blesses everyone with her small hands placed upon their heads.
🔱 Dashami
In Medinipur, there is no other household where such a large, ancient, and heavy-structured idol is worshipped. For 420 years, the Mother has been worshipped in this house.
Thirty-five bearers carry the Mother on their shoulders for immersion. In recent times, due to the immense weight, She is taken on an iron carriage to Gandhi Ghat for immersion. With tear-filled eyes, devotees watch as the Mother’s face becomes blurred. From deep within the heart arises the plea —
“Do not go, Mother… Stay a few more days.”
To us, this is not merely a clay idol. She is the living Jagat Janani — the Universal Mother, the Supreme Divine.
During the Sindoor ritual, when the women of the house offer vermilion, it feels as though even the Mother’s eyes are moist. It is a deeply painful yet sacred emotion — expressed silently, inwardly, through tears and remembrance.
This bond between the devotee and the Mother is purely spiritual and deeply personal — beyond the expression of words.
🌺 Victory to Mother Durga 🌺
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