| Durga Puja as UNESCO-ICH World Heritage Recognition: Durga Puja, especially in West Bengal, received UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2021. This prestigious recognition highlights the festival’s cultural importance, with Bonedi Bari Pujas playing a crucial role in preserving the traditions that have made Durga Puja globally renowned. The UNESCO tag emphasizes Durga Puja as a celebration that transcends religious boundaries, promoting cultural unity and showcasing Bengal’s rich artistic and performance heritage. |
- Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas are among Kolkata’s oldest and most culturally significant celebrations, with some dating back over 400 years, predating British rule in India.
- Held at aristocratic households, these pujas reflect deep historical, cultural, and familial traditions that began as early as 1610, showcasing their long-standing heritage.
- These pujas maintain long-standing customs, such as using traditional moulds for idols.
- Employing the same families of pandits, idol makers, and dhakis (drummers) for generations.
- Earlier Animal Sacrifices are being replaced with changing times.
- The continuity of these practices showcases the deep-rooted cultural identity of Kolkata.
- The rituals and responsibilities are traditionally passed down through male heirs, although recently women have taken on leading roles in managing the puja.
- Bonedi Bari Pujas are integral to Kolkata’s cultural fabric. The public often visits these pujas, which serve as living museums of the city’s rich past and present cultural diversity.
Dig Deeper: Read about India’s other Intangible Cultural Heritage Arts and Traditions.
