Cuttack: In the heart of Cuttack, Odisha’s oldest cultural city, a centuries-old tradition continues to thrive. The Balu Bazar Puja Committee, one of the oldest Puja organizations in the city, has been celebrating Durga Puja for an astonishing 511 years. This year marks a significant milestone, as the Puja Committee continues to uphold the traditions and rituals that have been passed down through generations.
A notable highlight of this puja is the deity’s face, which has remained unchanged for the past 126 years. Additionally, the idols are adorned with organic colours derived from natural sources, rather than synthetic paints, adding to the puja’s unique charm and traditional significance.
The story of this Durga Puja dates back to 1514 when Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu initiated the worship of Maa Durga at the Vinod Bihari Peeth. The Puja Committee, which has been organizing the festival for 511 years, has faced numerous challenges, including a devastating famine in 1865-66. Despite these challenges, the committee has maintained the age-old traditions and customs, ensuring that the Puja remains a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage.
What makes this Puja unique is the fact that the worshippers themselves create the idol of Maa Durga, using natural materials like turmeric, rice, lime, coconut, saffron, fruits and leaves. With no chemical colours, the idols are adorned with fine silver jewellery. The Puja Mandap is decorated with a majestic 30-ft-high silver filigree backdrop, designed with intricate motifs of conch and flowers.
The Puja rituals begin on the sixth day with the offering of Navaratri Puja and the Chakhyu Dana on the Maha Saptami day. On the eighth day or Mahastami, thousands of married women gather to observe the fast. The Puja attracts a massive crowd, with at least a lakh devotees visiting the Puja Mandap during the four-day extravaganza.
The servitor, Kali Prasad Banerjee, proudly emphasizes the significance of preserving traditional practices. “The speciality of this Puja Mandap is that no chemical colours are used in the idol of Devi Durga. This trend has been continuing, and we have been following the age-old practice.”
The Balu Bazar Puja Committee’s commitment to maintaining its traditions is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage. As the city celebrates this timeless tradition, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural roots and passing them down to future generations.
In a world where modernization and urbanization are rapidly changing the way we celebrate festivals, the Balubazar Puja Committee’s dedication to its traditions is truly inspiring.
