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Journalism of Courage
To carry big idols through the narrow lanes of Kumortuli, the iconic potters’ hub in Kolkata, is no joke. With no modern facilities here, the porters still tie bamboo around the giant clay models and carry them on their shoulders making their way out to wider streets.
On Saturday, outside veteran artist Pashupati Rudra Paul’s studio, a large group of men assembled — their job to load a set of five idols on boats. The mammoth task of carrying the idols on shoulders from the studio to the ghat, crossing the railway tracks, dodging the narrow alleys take more than an hour. The idols are on their way to Howrah from Kolkata.
When it comes to Durga Puja, there is no way to top Kolkata’s pompous celebrations. The five-day gala, open to all irrespective of religion, race, and nationality, brings a huge flock of tourists to the city during the festive season. However, the festival is grandly celebrated in the neighbouring towns and districts with a similar enthusiasm.
One of the oldest pujas in Kolkata is hosted by Belur Panchanantala Sarbojonin Durgotsab committee. For the last eight decades, this club in Howrah district celebrates the festival abiding with the traditions and maintaining the rich heritage of Bengal. But there is one particular aspect that makes this puja special. All these years, they carry their Durga idol via the water route. Loading the clay idols from Kolkata in small wooden boats, they transport the gods and goddesses from one bank of River Hooghly to another — a tradition that has been continuing for the last 82 years.
The club is celebrating their 82nd puja this year and has not deviated or got carried away by the theme culture.
“Many idols are brought to the other side of the river on the water route. But the ritual that makes our journey unique is that the idols are carried in the same way as they are positioned at a pandal,” Subharthapratim Saha, Secretary of the club told indianexpress.com. On three boats, aligned in a straight line, with Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on the left, Goddess Durga in the centre and Lord Karthik and Goddess Swaraswati on the right — the three boats run parallel throughout the journey.
“We bring Maa Durga this way every year. It’s a great coincidence and makes it even more special as the Devi arrives on a boat this year,” Saha added. Every year, the idols are transported at a specific time considered auspicious for the journey based on the Hindu almanac.
Traditions are of great importance to this club, and likewise, artist Pashupati Rudra Paul, 64, has been making the idols for the club for last 18 years. The idols have been built by the members of his family for the club ever since the celebrations began in 1935.
