Pateshwari Durga worshipped by Bardhaman royals

When it comes to worshipping a hand-painted Durga, the Goddess in the Bardhaman royal palace is a unique one in form and from ritualistic point of view.

The founder of the House of Bardhman, Maharaja Sangam Rai Kapoor, was a Khatri from Punjab. They became influential during Mughal period by supporting them during the war against Sher Afghan in 1610. During its peak under the British rule, the royal family in the 18th century owned a sprawling area of 13,000sqkm spread over neighbouring districts as well. The Goddess Durga came in the period of Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Mahatab Chand Rai (1820–1879).

Their family goddess was Chandika, the warrior form of Mother Goddess though they established many temples including Shiva temples and Lakshminarayanjeu. However the king wanted to worship Durga too, but the family priest forbade him to make an idol. That was reason the king had to go for a hand-painted Durga on an around five feet high wooden frame. The name of this Durga became Pateshwari, the painted Goddess.

The Durga was once worshipped in her temple where today’s Women’s college exists. The temple could not survive the wrath of time and hence, now she resides in the Natmancha of Lakshminarayan temple. Her colour is golden and Asur the evil she kills is dark green. Durga in the Singhabahini (boarding a lion) and her children are painted on blue background along with a traditional backdrop called Chalchitra. All their faces except the Ganesh’ are painted as sideview. During royal era, she was immersed in Krishnasayar, the royal lake for few hours so that the colour from the frame faded. Immersion has been stopped since the end of royal rule. Now she is repainted in every twelve years.  

Following Navaratri tradition, the nine day long Puja starts from Pratipad. She was once served fifty two items as Prasad but now it reduced to only Luchi (Bengali version of Puri) and Halwa due to lack of fund. Also the custom of sacrificing areca nut and Dandiya dance by Gujarati community has been stopped.

Nothing of the previous pomp could sustain till date. Also organizing a Puja with the temple trust allocation, the value of which constantly lessens today, is difficult.  Nevertheless, the devotion to follow traditional ritual remains the same. The descendants of the Royal family still attend the Puja for a day every year.