By Uma Purkayatha, Shillong
Sarvojanin Durga Puja in Shillong completed its glorious 128 years which was pioneered by some enthusiastic Bengali residents of Shillong, like Kartick Ch. Chatterjee, Dinanath Biswas, Upendralal Kanjilal, Nitai Basu and others, and was performed at Harisabha, Laban, in a makeshift thatched House. The main organizer and the founder Secretary of the Durga Puja Committee was Late Dinanath Biswas. During that period of improper transport services due to lack of motorable road between Shillong – Gauhati, the worshippers brought the idols from West Bengal, half way by train , then by steamer, and then by motor car upto Gauhati. From Gauhati to Shillong the idols were brought by bullock cart which took three days to reach. The priest was sourced from Sylhet, crossing the hills on foot. That first Sarvojanin Durga Puja is an historical event of Shillong. An interesting aspect of that Puja was that, the total expenditure incurred in the puja was Rs. 75 and 8 annas only, and the highest rate of subscription was Rs 2/- and lowest was 2 annas (current 12 Paisa). [Collected from (L) Manoranjan Choudhury of Harisabha Laban]
The next year 1897 was a very unfortunate and a doomed year for Shillong. The disastrous earthquake of 12th June 1897 swept away many lives and property of Shillong. The panic stricken people were praying to goddess Durga, the saviour, to save them from that severe calamity.……
That year (1897) Durga Puja in Harisabha was celebrated more widely in Shillong and people, irrespective of religion subscribed in that Puja with full devotion. The Khasi people from adjacent villages came to visit the Puja, who called the goddess, ‘Ka Blei Durka’. The total population of Shillong during 1897, after the earthquake was 4980 (Four thousand nine hundred and eighty) only, due to exodus for earthquake phobia!
Since 1896, Sarvojanin Durga Puja is being celebrated in Shillong without any break braving many extreme critical situations and hurdles. At present not less than sixty public Durga Puja are being performed in the heart of city itself; and some of them are almost century old e.g Thana Road, community Puja (1901) Jail Road Sarvojanin Puja, (1914) Lower Jail Road Assamese Puja (1922) Rilbong Sarvojanin Puja (1927) etc. At present, the average expenditure of each puja comes to 7-10 Lakhs (approx).
Shillong faced many ups and downs, political insurgencies, natural calamities etc during the long span of last hundred and twenty eight years, but the celebration of Durga Puja is carried on by the pious and enthusiastic people of Shillong.
Though Durga Puja is considered as a Hindu religious festival but the Puja festival is not confined to the particular community only; it is enjoyed by all. It is something great! A very special occasion which brings an awakening sensation among people irrespective of religion, caste or creed. The Puja lasts for three days only but its preparation starts three months before and its sweet fragrance lasts for days on.
‘Puja marketing’ is one of the most thrilling passions of the Bengalees in particular; but the market centres are overcrowded by all tribes of people particularly during puja period.
Once, I curiously asked one of my Khasi friends in a crowded shoe shop, ‘Why do you come for marketing during the Puja rush’ to which she replied with a smile that Puja time is the best time for marketing, because the best quality of fashionable commodities are available during that time, and we enjoy.
Today, colour and lookout of the generation is totally changed! It is the age of Internet etc. Old style of traditional puja is almost invalid now. There is competition in every affair, right from pandal decoration to idol sculpturing. Each and every Public Puja is spending average 7 to 10 lakhs, whereas, in Shillong, the puja started with total expenditure of Rs. 75/- only.
Though apparently it is misuse of money for gorgeous illumination and pandal decoration etc, but without enjoyment, the religious festivals become dull and colourless. Innocent joy or enjoyment is also a part of religion. In a word Durga Puja is a festival of joy and harmony among people.
People belive that Goddess Durga is the saviour of all calamities, and the joint prayer goes to goddess Durga as:-
‘Pahi Bisweswari Pahi Viswam’ i.e ‘Oh goddess! Protect us, Protect the whole universe from danger’.
Photo Courtesy from Google images
