Freedom. That’s what the Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav embodies.
Welcome to the Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav. It is one of Kolkata’s oldest community Durga Pujas. This festival isn’t just a religious event. It’s a vibrant celebration of culture, history, and community spirit.
The Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav started in 1919. People of Bagbazar first celebrated at Sarkar-House. The address was 55 Baghbazar Street. It stood at the junction of Nebubagan Lane and Bagbazar Street. Back then it was called “Nebubagan Baroyari Durga-Puja”. The celebrations continued there for three years. In 1924, the puja moved to the junction of Bagbazar Street and Pashupati Bose Lane. The next year, it was held at Kantapukur. In 1927, it took place in the Bagbazar Kali-temple.
Nagendra Nath Ghoshal, a social worker, helped form a proper organization in 1926. He also named it. In 1929, an exhibition was held during the puja. In 1930, Durgacharan Bandyopadhyay became president. He was an alderman of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. He expanded the exhibition. It reflected independence movements and Swadeshi concepts. Bandyopadhyay renamed it Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsab and Exhibition.
More space was needed. Bandyopadhyay chose the “Metal-Yard”. It was a storage area for Calcutta Corporation’s road-repair department. It is now where “Durganagar” stands today. He asked Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for permission. Bose was the Mayor of Kolkata then. Bose approved the request. He agreed to a joint exhibition with the Corporation. He also donated five hundred rupees.
From 1930, the opening and closing ceremonies became integral. Many famous people attended. Dignitaries such as Santosh Kr. Basu and Acharya Prafulla Ch. Roy were invited. Netaji Subhash Ch. Bose served as president in 1938 and 1939.
Besides the Puja, two more events stand out. These are Birashtami Utsab and Sindur-Utsab. Birashtami Utsab happens on Mahastami morning. Sindur-Utsab takes place on Bijaya Dashami morning. Pulin Das of Anusilan Samity attended Birashtami. He attended until he could no longer join.
After the Swadeshi Movement, the organization gained importance. People from everywhere visited. The celebration became a people’s festival.
The idol is traditional. It is decorated with ornaments made from thermocol. This is commonly called “Dak-er Saaj”. The Pal family has been making the Durga idol for 70 years.
The Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav remains a symbol of community. It embodies the spirit of freedom. It’s a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Kolkata.