Jalpaiguri: Baikunthapur Rajbari’s Durga Puja preparations begin with ‘Nanda Utsav’ and ‘Katham Puja’

Jalpaiguri, 05th September: Preparations for the Durga Puja at Baikunthapur Rajbari in Jalpaiguri began with ‘Nanda Utsav’ and ‘Katham’ Puja on Saturday. The traditional Durga Puja of the Rajbari will enter its 517th year this year.

As per the family’s long-standing tradition, Nanda Utsav was held at the Rajbari on the morning following Janmashtami. One of the main attractions of the celebration was the traditional mud play. The same mud was then used to apply the first layer to the Durga idol at the Rajbari.

Along with Nanda Utsav, the idol-making process also began with ‘Katham Puja’. Preparations of making the Durga idol started at the Rajbari on Saturday and will be carried out following the family’s long-standing customs and traditions.

According to Rajbari sources, the eyes of the Durga idol will be painted on the morning of Mahalaya.

With ‘Nanda Utsav’ and ‘Katham Puja’ marking the beginning of the preparations, a festive atmosphere has already set in at the historic Rajbari ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations.