Paul Barir Pujo
Welcome to Paul Bari Durga Puja
“Paul Bari” is the ancestral house of Late Sitesh Chandra Paul, situated in Cooch Behar District. With deep devotion and cultural spirit, the family and community together have been celebrating the sacred festival of Shree Shree Durga Puja with great enthusiasm and reverence.
This year marks a special milestone – the 20th year of Shree Shree Durga Puja at Paul Bari. Over the past two decades, the puja has grown into a symbol of unity, tradition, and devotion, where neighbors, relatives, and well-wishers come together to celebrate the divine presence of Maa Durga.
Carrying forward the legacy of faith and cultural heritage, Paul Bari Durga Puja continues to uphold the values of harmony, devotion, and togetherness. We warmly welcome you to be a part of this auspicious occasion and join us in seeking the blessings of Maa Durga.
Sharod Shubhechha to All!
History :
The Paul Bari Durga Puja is more than a festival – it is the living story of faith, transformation, and the boundless grace of Maa Durga. Its beginning lies in the life of Sri Sukhmoy Paul, a Bhramabadi Yogi who, until that time, was a non-believer in murti puja (idol worship).
A Prayer in Times of Distress
Sri Sukhmoy Paul was once engulfed in unbearable hardship. A sudden crisis left him burdened with crushing debts and severe distress. With no other way left, he turned to the Divine. On the sacred day of Ashtami Puja, at the noon time, he went to the historic Devi Bari Temple of Cooch Behar – one of the most revered shrines dedicated to Maa Durga, with a glorious legacy dating back to the royal days of the Cooch Behar Kings.
At that very hour, Devi Bari was overflowing with devotees. People prayed with deep faith, making offerings and sacrifices – even pigeons – to please the Goddess. Observing this, Sukhmoy Paul, though a skeptic, was struck by a thought: “Surely there must be some power here. Otherwise, why would so many people sacrifice with such devotion?”
পাল বাড়ির দুর্গাপুজোর ইতিহাস
“বিশ্বাসের অলৌকিক জাগরণেই পাল বাড়ির দুর্গাপুজোর সূচনা” 🌸
অষ্টমীর প্রার্থনায় জন্ম নেয়া প্রতিজ্ঞা আজ ২০ বছরের ঐতিহ্য। ভক্তি, ঐক্য আর আশার আলোয় মুখরিত পাল বাড়ির দুর্গোৎসব।
“অষ্টমীর প্রার্থনা, ভক্তির অঙ্গীকার,
আজও বাজে ঢাক, ছড়িয়ে দেয় সুখ-সঞ্চার।
ঐতিহ্যের শিখা, ভক্তির আলোকরেখা,
পাল বাড়ির দুর্গোৎসব আনন্দে বয়ে চলে একা ”
পাল বাড়ির দুর্গাপুজো শুধুমাত্র এক উৎসব নয় – এটি বিশ্বাস, রূপান্তর আর মা দুর্গার অপরিসীম করুণার এক জীবন্ত কাহিনি। এর সূচনা হয়েছিল শ্রী সুখময় পাল–এর জীবনে, যিনি ছিলেন এক ব্রহ্মবাদী যোগী এবং সেই সময় পর্যন্ত মূর্তি পূজা-য় অবিশ্বাসী।
Historical Importance of Devi Bari Temple
The Devi Bari Temple of Cooch Behar is not merely a place of worship – it is a living witness to centuries of history. Its origin dates back to the royal era of the Cooch Behar kingdom. Since then, Devi Bari has stood as an inseparable center of royal tradition, social unity, and spiritual devotion.
From ancient times, the Ashtami Puja of Shree Shree Durga here has held special significance. For centuries, countless devotees have gathered at this sacred shrine on Ashtami, offering their prayers, oblations, and rituals in surrender to the Goddess. That tradition remains unbroken to this day.
It was to this holy temple that Sri Sukhmoy Paul came during the darkest period of his life. Witnessing the overflowing crowd of devotees, their offerings, and their unwavering faith, he realized: “Surely, a divine power must be present here.” That realization moved him to surrender himself at the feet of the Goddess.
Thus, Devi Bari is not only the birthplace of Sri Sukhmoy Paul’s miraculous liberation, but also a shining symbol of Cooch Behar’s rich cultural heritage and enduring spiritual consciousness.
Significance of Paul bari Durga Puja in Cooch Behar
The Paul bari Durga Puja is one of the notable traditional pujas of Cooch Behar, carrying deep cultural and historical value for the local community. Unlike community pujas that emerged in later years, Paulbari’s puja traces its origin to a family-based (bonedibari) tradition, where the goddess is worshipped with devotion, ritual precision, and familial warmth.
Historical Importance
- The Paul family is among the respected old families of Cooch Behar, and their Durga Puja has been celebrated for generations, making it a living heritage.
- It reflects the continuity of Cooch Behar’s aristocratic culture, where households played a vital role in preserving religious and cultural practices.
Cultural Significance
- The puja is not just a religious event but a cultural gathering, where relatives, neighbors, and visitors come together to celebrate.
- Traditional rituals, age-old customs, and specific family practices (such as the style of idol-making, use of shola or daakersaaj, or ancestral recipes during bhog) distinguish Paulbari’s puja from other community celebrations.
- It serves as a reminder of the fusion of devotion and heritage that Cooch Behar is famous for.
Social Bonding
- The puja acts as a reunion point for family members spread across different places, who return home to join the festivities.
- Locals often participate in the rituals, contributing to the spirit of togetherness and harmony.
Spiritual Value
- The rituals performed at Paulbari Puja are believed to carry blessings for the family and the community at large.
- The sanctity of the worship upholds the age-old belief in Maa Durga as the embodiment of strength and protection.
- The PaulbariDurga Puja is one of the remarkable traditional pujas of Cooch Behar, known not only for its heritage value but also for its progressive approach towards worship.
Breaking the Priesthood Tradition
- Unlike most Hindu Durga Pujas, where rituals are performed strictly by Brahmin priests, the PaulbariDurga Puja does not follow this convention.
- Shri Paul, the head of Paul Bari and a Sanskrit scholar, personally performs the worship of MaaDurga.
- Having received training in scriptures and rituals from revered Gurus at Banaras (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) and Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), he has been conducting the puja himself for nearly 20 years.
- Belonging to the Kayastha community, his role as pujari breaks the long-held notion that only Brahmins can serve as priests in Hindu rituals.
Cultural and Social Importance
- This progressive practice symbolizes a departure from rigid caste-based restrictions, making the puja more inclusive in spirit.
- It sets an example of how knowledge, devotion, and sincerity, rather than birth or caste, qualify a person to worship the divine.
- Thus, the PaulbariDurga Puja is not just a family tradition but a movement towards equality in worship.
Heritage and Continuity
- The puja also preserves the bonedibari (aristocratic household) tradition of Cooch Behar, where families uphold their ancestral legacy through devotion.
- Every year, the rituals, bhog, and celebrations bring together family members, neighbors, and visitors, ensuring the bond of faith and community spirit.
- In essence, the PaulbariDurga Puja is significant not only for its heritage but also for its progressive stand against priestly exclusivity, proving that devotion and knowledge can transcend caste barriers. It reflects the evolving cultural identity of Cooch Behar, where tradition and reform go hand in hand.