A puja festival with a difference

These are a few of the 151 thematic idols, specially sculpted for the exceptional arrangement of Durga Puja, adorn a puja mandop in the yard of Boidyanath Saha at Baikunthapur village in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur district.Photo: STAR

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Bangali Hindu community, this time sees an exceptional arrangement at Baikunthapur village in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur district as 151 pratimas (image), exhibiting 22 different themes on the legends of the goddess have been erected there.
The themes include Sristi Rahosya (mystery of creation), Brindaboney Radha Krishna (Radha and Krishna in Brindaban), Satya Baner Jibon Tyag (Satya Ban's sacrifice of life), Hanumaner Ayoddhya Gomon (Hanuman goes to Ayoddhya), Ram Sitar Bonobash Jatra (Exile of Ram and Sita) and Sitar Ogni Parikkha (Sita's test by fire).
Sculptor Basudev Goswami of Sonapur village of Rajbari with the help of his wife Dipali Goswami and sons Krishna Goswami and Boloram Goswami made the 151 images over the last four months. Mahanondo Paul and Shidun Halder also helped Basudev.
Baikunthapur Saha Jubo Sangho (BSJS) has arranged the festival in the yard of Boidyanath Saha.
"This is the first time Durga Puja is being celebrated with 151 depictions anywhere in the country. I presented different themes with the help of my co-artists. The themes will help the visitors and the Hindu devotees to understand the inner significance of religion," Basudev Goswami said.
The main entrepreneur of the festival, Biplob Saha, son of Boidyanath Saha of Baikunthapur village, said, "Around Tk 12 lakh has been spent for making the beautiful depictions during last four months. The young men of Baikunthapur Saha Jubo Sangha are working selflessly to organise the celebration."
Nishisth Saha, one of the organisers of the festival, said forty famous people including poets and writers form across the country will join the celebrations.
Madhukhali upazila Chairman Mafizur Rahman Manju said, "The celebration of Durga Puja with 151 depictions is really extraordinary. It has never happened before. A large number of enthusiasts from across the country are expected to visit Baikunthapur Mandap."
"The unique celebration of Durga festival in Baikunthapur village has created a lot of enthusiasm among the people in the district," Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Helaluddin Ahmed said.