The rituals and offerings date back to late 19th century in the village of Keshiyari, District Medinipur , West Bengal, India.There is an interesting story about how this puja got started. On a summer evening, the Zaminder (landlord) of Keshiyari village, Mr. Padmolochon Dutta, was on his
It is that sacred time of year when Lord Jagannath, the beloved deity of Puri, leaves his sanctum and embarks on his annual journey to his aunt’s abode. Accompanied by his divine siblings—Subhadra and Balabhadra—he ascends his grand chariot, greeted by oceans of devotees who pull
Boroli fish, also known as 'Ilish (Hilsa) of Teesta' Bengalis and their love for fish need no introduction. Fish is not just a delicious addition to daily food but an integral part of many of the rituals and celebrations too. They are even revered, worshipped
The sweet-makers of Bengal’s villages are no less than Nobel-winning scientists when it comes to their craft. Take boondi, for example, a sweet whose name comes from the Sanskrit word Binduka, meaning tiny drops. Normally, we consider it a bright mix of red and yellow. But Bengali sweet-makers
The twin towns of Gaur-Pandua, medieval capital of Bengal are probably the least known historical sites of India, though it has a treasure trove of some of the best vignettes of Nawabi living. They are twin towns located to the north and south of Malda
There is an age-old mindset among many who believe in the clichéd saying that Bengalis do not have the entrepreneurial skills and lack the dynamism and drive to venture into virgin territories. How utterly trite this belief is when we simply glance at some of
Some actors are born with such a prowess that even if they feature in side roles, they steal the show. One such actor was Bankim Ghosh, who was equally successful as the cunning criminal as was in the role of a friend scheming and helping
Millets, once overshadowed by rice and wheat in West Bengal, are now gaining momentum thanks to the efforts of the Switch On Foundation. Led by Vinay Jaju, the foundation is working tirelessly to revive millet cultivation in the region and promote it as a healthy alternative
If you love keeping track of the actively performing NGOs based out of Bengal, then it is most likely that you have heard or seen a group of enthusiastic youngsters working relentlessly under an enticing banner, scribbled ‘Charis’. These people are on a mission to impart computer education
Moichara, aka cattle race festival, is held in Herobhanga village Moichara is a festival, each year the village of Herobhanga (near Canning railway station) in West Bengal organizes. Moichara is a cattle race festival, marking the arrival of monsoon. It is usually celebrated to make everyone