Religious worship in Rah Bengal: An exceptional worship in Roy Ramchandrapur village of East Burdwan district/ রাঢ় বাংলার ধর্মপূজা : একটি ব্যতিক্রমী পুজো পূর্ব বর্ধমান জেলার রায় রামচন্দ্রপুর গ্রাম

Abstract

‘Rarh’ refers to two Bardhamans, two Medinipurs, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Hooghly and Howrah districts. In most if not every village in the region, the ancient deity is Dharma Thakura. He is known by different names in different places. Dharam Puja gained so much popularity in Bengal that several Dharmamangal Kavyas were written in Bengal during the Middle Ages. Mayura Bhatta was the first poet of Dharmamangal Kavya. Dharam Thakura is said to be part of various gods. This deity is a combination of Arya and non-Arya deities and this 'composite culture' is well observed in Rarh Bengal. But Dharma Thakura is the symbol of niranjan or emptiness and the vehicle of this Dharmaraja is horse. One such example of Dharam Puja is the Kotra Puja of Rai Ramchandrapur village under Bhatar Thana in Purba Bardhaman district. The specialty of this puja is Dhunoseba, anointment by water, bringing of bhandral and above all, 9 goats are sacrificed at once. Like the Dharam Puja of other villages, there is a legend about the origin of Dharam Puja in this village. Since there is no real material about the origin of Puja, we mainly have memory studies and folklore has to be relied upon. 8 Brahmin families served the Kotra puja in Rai Ramchandrapur and the main devotees were Adhikari (Brahmin) families. The cobbler caste – called Deyashi – are heavily involved in the rituals while the launderer (Dhopa) and Muslim community are absent from this puja. People from different regions participate in this puja and the authentic spirit of the village ceremony is maintained. A small fair is also held in this village. Most of the income of the whole year is spent by every villager to organize this event. Every family play a role in organizing the festival and there is no fault in hospitality or entertainment among them. Dharma Thakura and the Puja Pratha of Rai Ramchandrapur village centering on him is the subject of this article.