What Durga Puja is to Kolkata, Jagaddhatri Puja is to Chandannagar. This erstwhile city in West Bengal, which was one of the five settlements of French India, has been celebrating Jagaddhatri Puja for more than three centuries. As the city situated on the banks of River Hooghly gears up to celebrate Jagaddhatri Puja, the Bor Panchanantala Sarbojonin Jagaddhatri Puja claims to be one of oldest pujas in Chandannagar.

In its 149th year, the theme for the year is “Srijan Kathi” depicting a mason’s chisel, a blacksmith’s hammer and a farmer’s spade express the artistic creativity through their breadwinning instruments which are their lifeline too. Their technical expertise expressed through their tools and instruments of lifeline are also an extension of their creative best and a common identity.

“If we consider the two major festivals during Durga Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja at the Bor Panchanantala Sarbojonin as public festivals or a ‘Baroari Puja’, then we shall fail to evaluate and assess the impact, influence and its reach of these occasions. This festival gives an indescribable feeling and an indomitable emotion to the inhabitants of the locality. Bor Panchanantala Sarbojonin has overcome many obstacles, joys and sorrows,” says puja committee secretary Debsaday Kundu.

He further states, “We organize a multitude of programs during this period apart from following the religious rituals and observances. We organize entertainment programs apart from fulfilling our social responsibilities as support to the economically challenged, providing food items, giving new clothes and providing educational support throughout the year, social service and educational programs throughout the year.”

Perhaps for the first time ever in Chandannagar, the Jagaddhatri Puja at the Bor Panchanantala in its pre golden jubilee year, has been inaugurated by the members of the community welfare organization like Pravarta Seva Niketan.

The entire theme has been created by Biman Saha, the stunningly beautiful Jagaddhatri’s idol has been created by Mukti Pal and the idol has been aesthetically decorated by Prasad Ghosh while the thematic pandal has been illuminated with lighting by  Rana Roy and the sound engineering by Abhijit Kole. All additional lighting has been done by Samaresh Dey.