Villages in West Bengal hold unique Kali Puja immersion rituals
Traditional ceremonies in Malda and Nadia feature idol races and dancing processions during the goddess's farewell.
In West Bengal, the immersion of Kali idols involves unique traditions such as racing and dancing, according to a report by WION. While much of India celebrated Diwali, West Bengal worshipped the goddess Kali on Sunday, November 8.
In Malatipur, a village in the Chanchal sub-division of Malda, eight Kali idols are carried through streets amid drumbeats and chants. The procession ends at a pond near the ancient Kalibari, where the idols circle the Durga Mandir ground for approximately two hours in a ritual called Kali Dour, or Kali race.
Locals credit the former king of Chanchal, Rai Bahadur Sarat Chandra, with starting the race to manage crowds at the village pond. Estimates suggest the tradition is between 300 and 350 years old, though social media has increased its popularity with visitors from Kolkata.
In Shantipur, located in the Nadia district, the goddess is worshipped in the Bamakali form. During the procession to the river on November 9, the idol is made to dance on the shoulders of devotees.
Local belief states that Bamakali dances facing a specific goddess shrine during the procession. While the dance is described as 500 years old, the current idol tradition in Shantipur dates to 1969.