Nalbari,Oct 17: The Barnardi Pujakhola Chuburi Durga Puja in Nalbari district is one of the oldest Durga Pujas in the State which has completed 525 years. This Durga Puja is considered an exceptional Durga Puja which has a royal tradition. This Puja has been attracting a large number of devotees every year.
According to the Puja committee, the Barnardi Pujakhola Chuburi Durga Puja was first organised by a Bhuyan family of Kshatriya descent from Kanauj settled in the Chenga-Bahari area in Barpeta district several hundred years ago.
During that time, the Ahom king conferred the title of Rai Baruah on Nilkantha Bhuyan of the Bhuyan family and settled him in the Barnardi area. This Bhuyan family was the follower of Goddess Durga and performed Durga Puja regularly.
According to belief, Sailakantha Rai Baruah, son of Nilakantha Rai Baruah secretly sacrificed a male boy at the feet of Goddess Durga on the Navami Puja day.
The Ahom king heard of Sailakantha’s sacrifice. The Ahom king sent his officials to the village to punish Sailakantha Rai Baruah for sacrificing human beings in the name of Goddess worship.
Then, Sailakantha reportedly left the village and committed suicide at Kapla Beel. Even the Ahom king reportedly revoked the title of Rai Baruah given to them. Therefore, the descendants of Sailakantha later started writing Rai Deka title instead of Rai Baruah.
The descendants of Sailakantha’s two sons, Apa Rai Deka and Parbat Rai Deka, are now living in the Barandi area. According to the local people, the village got its name from the worship of the Goddess Nar Di (human sacrifice).
While talking to The Assam Tribune Subhash Deka, one of the organisers said that another feature of the Barnardi Durga Puja is that there are no clay idols. Instead of clay idols, the idols of the Goddess is decorated with new leaves of nine different plants, which is called Naba-patrika.
On the other hand, since the Barnadi Puja is performed by the king’s dynasty, no donations are collected from people.
There, donation culture is prohibited and no receipt book is printed for collection of donations. Besides, the Barnardi Durga Puja has no provision of animal sacrifice. The animals like goats, ducks, pigeons are released after being worshipped before the Goddess, he added.
Deka further stated that preparations for this historic Durga Puja of Barnardi Pujakhola Mandir has been completed and they are ready to welcome the devotees.
As the Barnardi Durga Puja has no provision of clay models and the royal tradition is still active, this Puja attracts huge crowds from various parts of the State during the puja days.