Memories of Mother's Offerings Still Come from Across the Border, 121 Years of Durga Puja in Shoshani Village

**Maldah:** The barbed wire at the border has separated the two Bengals. But in the worship of the Mother, it seems that the two sides of Bengal are still intertwined. The ancient Durga Puja of Shoshani village, located near the India-Bangladesh border in the Kaliachak-3 block of Maldah, is a testament to that tradition. This year, this Puja has entered its 121st year.

At the very end of the border, just a few hundred meters from the temple, lies the India-Bangladesh border. This single Durga Puja becomes the main festival for the people of the surrounding five villages. While it may not be as grand as other major pujas, there is no lack of emotion and tradition.

It is known that Bhola Nath Chowdhury, a resident of undivided India’s Chapainawabganj, was a weaver by profession. After the partition of the country, he came to Shoshani village in India through land exchange. Before that, he used to organize Durga Puja on his own in Chapainawabganj. After coming to this country, with the help of local residents Sudhir Jamadar and Subodh Sarkar, this Puja began.

Once, this Puja was a meeting place for the people of both Bengals. With no barbed wire at the border, people from the border areas of Bangladesh would also participate in this Puja. A large fair would also be held around the Puja. Over time, with the construction of the barbed wire at the border, that picture has changed. Now, even if they wish, residents of Bangladesh cannot directly participate in this Puja.

However, the memories of that other Bengal are still intertwined with this Puja. Locals claim that once offerings, clothes, and tussar sarees for the Puja came from the Chapainawabganj area of Bangladesh. The memories of that old relationship still flow through the Durga Puja of Shoshani village.

Currently, offerings of luchi, budiya, and khichuri are made during the Puja. Since there is a BSF camp near the border, BSF jawans also participate in the Puja every year. Locals have stated that they participate in various arrangements of the Puja, from donating to the Puja.

The Puja still creates a festive atmosphere among the people of five villages. Various cultural programs continue for five days. The barbed wire at the border may have stopped the movement of people from both countries, but this 121-year-old Puja still preserves the old tradition, emotion, and memories of the cultural connection between the two Bengals.