The royal palace, Sovabazar Rajbari, is the ideal representation of legacy and history. It is well-known for the legendary Durga Puja, which dates all the way back to 1757. It is Kolkata’s first-ever Durga Puja celebration. Royal people have retained their unique cultural legacy through the centuries for more than 250 years. The entire ceremony is especially noteworthy because of its authenticity as a tradition and lavish atmosphere.
History of Sovabazar Raj Bari
Nabakrishna Raja Deb was not blessed from birth and led a modest existence in his early years. He began his career as a munshi and later instructed Robert Clive in the Parsi language. He gained reputation and influence as a result of this acquaintance. The family used to own practically all of north Calcutta. In 1766, he attained the rank of Maharaja.
Naba Raja Krishna Deb began the Puja after Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, was defeated by the British at the Battle of Plassey. Due to the British Empire’s entry into India through this conflict, Bengal was bound by them for the next 200 years and lost its allure.
Leading British officials The first governor-general of India, Sir Warren Hastings, and Lord Robert Clive were on the guest list for this festival. Later, Durga Puja became a symbol and now celebrated by everyone.
The 250 year old legacy of Durga Puja at Sovabazar Raj Bari
Raja NabaKrishna Deb didn’t have a son in his early years, therefore he adopted his nephew Gopimohan Deb. Raja Rajkrishna Deb, his son, was eventually born. In 1790, he began holding Durga Puja in his son’s new palace, which he had constructed. His palaces, Chotto Rajbari and Boro Rajbari, are situated in Shyam Bazar, on the other side of Raja Naba Krishna Street. Since then, both the Rajbari and the Rajbari celebrate Durga Puja.
The Bengal Renaissance was greatly influenced by the Deb family. Raja Gopi Mohan Deb helped create Hindu College, which later went on to become Presidency University, one of India’s best universities.
Another royal family scholar was Raja Radha Kanta Deb. He supported female education but opposed Raja RamMohan Roy’s social reform movement, which sought to eradicate old Sati traditions. Radha Kanta Deb was a devout Hindu and never wanted the British Empire to meddle with the Hindu faith, despite the fact that The Deb family never practised it.
Durga Puja in Sovabazar Raj Bari
Since Puja’s beginning, customs and rituals have not changed. They make the idol the same size and shape each year. Ekchala, the name of the idol, refers to the creation of a single, impenetrable structure that houses everything under one roof.
Daker Saj embellishments give Idol a regal appearance. Daker Saj, the foil used to create the statues’ clothing, has a fascinating history. This silver foil used to be sent by mail from Germany in the old days. The name Daker Saj was given since it used to be sent via post, or dak in Bengali.
Ghotokmuki Singha, who has a lion’s body and a horse’s face, is their idol. In contrast to many other Bonedi Bari Pujos, only sweets are presented to the idols in Rajbari.