Siliguri, 26th October: Thousands of visitors gathered at the century-old Maldangi Mela in Uttar Ektiasal, which has entered its 118th year. The fair is held alongside the traditional worship of Goddess Durga, also known as Maldangi Devi, following rituals that have been preserved for generations.
According to local accounts, the worship of Goddess Dashabhuja began many years ago in the Baikunthapur forest through the efforts of members of the local Rajbanshi community, including Raskanta Roy and Kantilal Mali. It is believed that they began worshipping the goddess to seek protection from attacks by wild animals in the forest. Local tradition also holds that Kantilal Mali crafted the idol of Goddess Durga with his own hands.
Since then, their descendants have continued the worship in collaboration with members of the local Rajbanshi community, keeping the age-old tradition alive.
A distinctive feature of the celebration is the worship of Goddess Durga according to Tantric rituals on the day after Lakshmi Puja. Following Vijaya Dashami, the idol of the goddess remains at the site for seven days. On the first day, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her Kojagari form, followed by the special Tantric worship of Maldangi Devi the next day. The rituals continue until the evening.
Ganesh Roy, grandson of Raskanta Roy, is currently overseeing the puja with local residents. He said that visitors travel from far-off places to attend the worship and fair every year.
The Maldangi Mela continues to attract large crowds while preserving a religious and cultural tradition that has endured for 118 years.
