Timeless traditions: Janmashtami at Kolkata’s historic Bonedi baris

Bonedi baris form an integral part of Kolkata’s cultural fabric, and some are even 200-250 years old. This Janmashtami, we look at the intricacies and nuances of these families and the rituals they follow on this day, a legacy that has been carried on for centuries. CT speaks to the representatives of these historic homes to know what makes this day so special for each of them.

Mallick Bari, Bhowanipore
Janmashtami is all about carrying forward age-old traditions for Bhowanipore Mallick Bari. From kickstarting Durga Pujo preparations with Kathamo Pujo in the morning, to Narayan Puja in the evening, the family comes together for the festivities. They not only decorate their 150-year-old thakur dalan and deities with flowers, but also offer seba to Gopal on this day.

"On Janmashtami, women of our house make a special bhog that consists of luchi, five types of vegetable fries, types of niramish tarkari and sweets. We also sing bhajans after the puja gets over"– Deepa Mallick

Marble Palace, Muktaram Babu street
Lord Jagannath Dev Jiu, the Mullick family’s 200-year-old deity alongside Lord Radha-Kanta Dev Jiu are worshipped on this day through chants, new regalia, prasad and revelry. The celebrations span across two days. While the first day is all about puja-paath, the second day sees the Nanda Utsav and atithi seva, where delicacies are made at home alongside the regular menu and distributed among the needy.

"The atithi seva ritual started from the time of Odisha famine (1866) by our ancestor Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur" – Brotindro Mullick

Roy Chowdhury Bari, Mandeville Gardens
The women of the family take care of the deity as their own child. The idol is bathed, made to sit on a jhula, adorned with gold jewellery, new clothes and flowers before the puja begins. Taal er bora, taal er kheer, malpua, niramish bhog, chocolates and chips are offered to the deity.

"We do arati in the evening in presence of our family members. We believe that the Lord brings happiness, wealth and good fortune to the family"– Anupama Roy Chowdhury

Sabarna Roy Chowdhury Bari, Barisha
Approximately 250 years old, the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury bari’s Janmashtami celebrations span across two days and also includes Nanda Utsav on the second day. Unlike others, the family does not have a ritualistic Kathamo Pujo, but the process of Durga idol making starts on this day every year.

"Our ancestor Santosh Roy Chowdhury established our Radha-Krishna mandir. He is also known to have laid the foundation of Kalighat temple"– Debanjan Roy Chowdhury

Sreemany Bari, Sukhia Street
At Sreemany Bari, one can expect to indulge in a variety of homemade sweets on this day, as that is the only kind of prasad offered to Gopal on this day. Usage of salt in food on this day is a big no. The family also dresses up the idol in new clothes and jewellery before the puja begins.

"Taaler bora, taaler luchi and phuluri alongside the usual malpua and rabri are offered as bhog on this day. We also decorate jhulas for the deity" – Sutapa Sreemany