Puja stories
The stories, rituals and practical tips behind each festival. Every fact comes with its source.
π Bengali Hindu wedding rituals, one by one
Bengali Hindu wedding rituals in order: Aiburobhaat, Gaye Holud, Mala Badal, Saat Paak, Sindoor Daan, Bou Boron and Bou Bhaat.
πΌ Gaye Holud: the colourful pre-wedding ceremony
What Gaye Holud is, when it happens, and how it is held in West Bengal and Bangladesh, with turmeric, sweets and ilish gifts.
π Annaprashan: a baby's first rice
What Annaprashan is, the usual age, what the baby eats, who feeds the child, and the custom of picking objects from a leaf.
𧡠Upanayana: what Bengal calls paite
What Upanayana (paite) is, the meaning of the name, the age, the sacred thread, the Gayatri Mantra and the start of brahmacharya.
π Shraddha and Pitru Paksha: remembering ancestors
What Shraddha is, when Pitru Paksha falls, why tarpan and pinda are offered on Mahalaya, who performs it and what is offered.
π Satyanarayan Puja: the vrata katha and customs
What Satyanarayan Puja is, what the vrata katha tells, what is offered, and the link to Bengal's Satya Pir.
π Ashtami Snan at Langalbandh, Narayanganj
The Ashtami Snan at Langalbandh on the Old Brahmaputra: when it is held, the Parashurama legend, the ghats, the fair and the 2015 stampede.
π Rash Mela at Dublar Char, Sundarbans
The three-day Rash Mela at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans: when it is held, how it began, the holy bath and what happened in 2025.
π The Dhamrai Rath Yatra
Dhamrai's Jagannath chariot: its history, what happened to the Rath in 1971, the route from Madhabbari, the Ulto Rath and the month-long fair.
πͺ Ramna Kali Mandir, Dhaka
Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka: its history, the Ma Anandamoyee ashram, the destruction on 27 March 1971 and the 2021 reopening.
π± Kal Bhairab Temple, Brahmanbaria
Kal Bhairab Temple in Medda, Brahmanbaria: the giant Shiva statue, the dream story, damage in 1971 and the rebuilding.
π Lokenath Brahmachari and the Barodi Ashram
Who Lokenath Brahmachari was, his ashram at Barodi in Narayanganj, and the Rakher Upobash fast held there in Kartik.
πͺ· Kojagori Lakshmi Puja: for those who stay awake
Why Bengal stays awake on Kojagari Purnima, the belief about Lakshmi's blessing, the kheer offering and who else is worshipped.
π± Charak Puja and Gajan
What Gajan is, whose festival Charak Puja is, the austerities performed, and where it is held in West Bengal and Bangladesh.
π½οΈ Jamai Shashthi: the son-in-law's day
When Jamai Shashthi falls, the son-in-law's feast, Shashthi Puja and the legend of the cat.
π Rath Yatra of Mahesh, Serampore
Mahesh's Rath Yatra in Serampore, celebrated since 1396 CE: the month-long fair, the trip to Gundicha Bari and Snana Yatra.
π₯ Poush Parbon and pithe
Which pithe belong to Poush Parbon or Poush Sankranti: patishapta, puli, pakon and bhapa pitha explained.
π Jhulan Yatra
When Jhulan Yatra starts and ends, the Radha Krishna swing, the Mayapur celebration and the hindola raga.
πΏ Nabapatrika: the Saptami morning bath of the Kola Bou
What Nabapatrika is, the nine plants in it, what happens on Saptami, and a note on the name Kola Bou. With the 2027 date.
πͺ Sandhi Puja: the junction of Ashtami and Navami
What Sandhi Puja is, why 108 lamps and lotuses at the Ashtami-Navami junction, the Chamunda story, and the 2027 date.
π§ Kumari Puja: a special rite of Durga Puja
What Kumari Puja is, when it falls in Durga Puja, the Belur Math tradition and the 2027 date.
π΄ Sindoor Khela: the farewell ritual of Dashami
What Sindoor Khela is, who plays it, when, what is done, the sweets, and the 2027 date. With a link to Bijoya greetings.
π₯ Dhunuchi naach and the dhak: the rhythm of the aarti
What dhunuchi naach is, what goes in a dhunuchi, what the dhak is, who the dhakis are, and the dhuno pora ritual.
πΉ Akal Bodhon: the story of waking the goddess out of season
What Akal Bodhon means, Rama's Durga worship in the Krittivasi Ramayana, the 108 lotuses and the eye, the Shashthi Bodhon, 2027 date.
𧱠The Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur, Bankura
Bishnupur's Malla kings, the Rasmancha, Jor Bangla, Madan Mohan and Shyam Ray temples, terracotta work and Baluchari saris.
π± Tarakeswar Temple, Hooghly
Tarakeswar Shiva temple in Hooghly: where it is, when it was built, the Shravan Tarakeswar Yatra and how to plan around Shivratri.
πͺ· Mayapur: ISKCON Headquarters, Nadia
Mayapur in Nadia: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace, ISKCON headquarters, the Chandrodaya Mandir and Gaura Purnima with the Navadwip parikrama.
πͺ Hangseshwari Temple, Bansberia
Hangseshwari Temple in Bansberia: who began it, when it was finished, its 13 lotus-bud towers and Kali Puja.
πͺ Thanthania Kalibari, Kolkata
Thanthania Kalibari on Bidhan Sarani, Kolkata: founded 1703, Maa Siddheswari, its founder and the Amavasya pujas.
β¨οΈ Bakreshwar and Kankalitala, Birbhum
Birbhum's Bakreshwar with its hot springs, Shiva temple and Shakti Peetha, and Kankalitala Shakti Peetha near Bolpur.
π± Shakti Peethas of West Bengal and Bangladesh
List of Shakti Peethas in West Bengal and Bangladesh with the place and the body part per tradition: Kalighat, Tarapith, Bakreshwar and more.
π Dhakeshwari National Temple, Dhaka
Dhakeshwari National Temple in Old Dhaka: where it is, its history, the 1971 damage, Durga Puja here and the Janmashtami procession.
β°οΈ Chandranath Temple, Sitakunda
Chandranath Temple on Chandranath Hill, Sitakunda: where it is, the Shakti Peetha tradition, its history and the hilltop setting.
𧱠Kantajew Temple, Dinajpur
Kantajew (Kantanagar) Temple in Dinajpur: who built it and when, the terracotta work, the navaratna style and the Rash mela.
ποΈ Puthia Temple Complex, Rajshahi
Puthia Temple Complex in Rajshahi: where it is, who built it, the Govinda and Shiva temples, terracotta work and the other shrines.
π± Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, Satkhira
Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Shyamnagar, Satkhira: where it is, the Shakti Peetha tradition, history, 1971 and Modi's 2021 visit.
πͺ Bhoot Chaturdashi: the night before Kali Puja
Bhoot Chaturdashi 2026 is Saturday 7 November: Chaturdashi tithi times, why 14 lamps are lit, the ancestor lore and the Naraka Chaturdashi link.
πͺ Kali Puja and Diwali: one night, two ways to celebrate
Kali Puja and Diwali fall on the same night. Why Bengal worships Kali at Nishita kaal, plus Kali Puja 2026 date and times for Kolkata and Dhaka.
π Naihati's Boro Maa: history, the idol and crowd tips
Naihati Boro Maa Kali Puja since 1923: history, the 22 ft idol, the permanent temple, getting there by train, and the 2026 no-VIP-gate rule.
π± Tarapith and Kali Puja: what to know
Tarapith temple, Tara Maa, the saint Bamakhepa, the cremation ground, getting there from Rampurhat, and the 2026 Kali Puja date in one place.
π Dakshineswar Kali Temple: history, darshan timings and how to reach
Dakshineswar Kali Temple guide: history, darshan timings as published by the temple, getting there by train and metro, and Kali Puja night.
π Kalighat Kali Temple: history, Shakti Peetha and how to reach
Kalighat Kali Temple guide: history, its Shakti Peetha status, reaching it via Kalighat metro, and etiquette tips for your visit.
π Belur Math: history, architecture, visiting hours and how to reach
Belur Math guide: history, architecture, Kumari Puja, visiting hours as published by Belur Math, and how to reach it by train.
πͺ Shyama Puja in Bangladesh: where and when
Kali (Shyama) Puja in Bangladesh 2026: Dhakeshwari, Ramna Kali Mandir, Siddheshwari, Dhaka Nishita timings, and what we could confirm on holidays.
π Chhath Puja 2026: Kolkata date and timings
Chhath Puja 2026 in Kolkata is Sunday 15 November. Sunrise and sunset times, the four days, Surya and Chhathi Maiya, and tips for visiting a ghat.
πͺ Bhai Phota 2026: when and how
Bhai Phota 2026 is on Wed 11 Nov. How the phota is given, the rhyme, the Yama and Yamuna story, and how it relates to Bhai Dooj and Bhau Beej.
π‘ Chandannagar's Jagaddhatri: the story of the city of lights
Chandannagar Jagaddhatri Puja lights explained: history, the light artisans, how big it is, the immersion procession and how to visit in 2026.
π¦ Krishnanagar's Jagaddhatri: from Burima to immersion
Krishnanagar Jagaddhatri Puja: Maharaja Krishnachandra, Chashapara Burima, Choto Maa, Mejo Maa, Jaleswari, getting there by train, and the 2026 date.
π Ekadashi fasting: the rules, parana and two dates
What Ekadashi is, why people fast, what is commonly avoided, when parana is, and why Smarta and Vaishnava dates sometimes differ.
πΎ Nabanna: the festival of new rice
What Nabanna is, where it is celebrated, the fairs, pitha and payesh, and Dhaka's National Harvest Festival, explained simply.
πΆ Poush Mela: Shantiniketan's winter fair
Shantiniketan's Poush Mela starts on 7 Poush and has run since 1894. Baul, kirtan, stalls, the 2025 dates and how to reach Bolpur Shantiniketan station.
π» Mahishasura Mardini: the programme that makes Mahalaya complete
Mahishasura Mardini on Mahalaya dawn: on All India Radio since 1931, Birendra Krishna Bhadra's voice, Pankaj Mullick's music, the 1976 episode, Mahalaya 2027.
πΊ Kumartuli: where clay becomes a goddess
Kumartuli's history, idols exported abroad, how to reach it (Sovabazar Sutanuti metro), and tips for visiting the potters' lanes respectfully.
π Durga Puja in Kolkata on UNESCO's list
In 2021 UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. What it recognises, which session, and the 2027 dates.
π Kolkata Book Fair 2027: the 50th year
The 50th International Kolkata Book Fair runs 22 January to 3 February 2027. Theme, history, past venues and tips for visiting.
π What Bengali homes and schools do on Saraswati Puja
Saraswati Puja rituals in Bengal: hathe khori, yellow clothes, school pujas, and the 2027 date with the Kolkata puja muhurat.
π Poila Boishakh: customs and dates on both sides of the border
Poila Boishakh traditions: Haal Khata, Mangal Shobhajatra, Prabhat Pheri, why the dates differ across the border, and the 1434 dates.