Durga pujo celebration of Patuatola Bandhyopadhyay family

Durga pujo celebration of Patuatola Bandhyopadhyay family dates back to 1791 when Ram Hari Bandhyopadhyay came from Nawgaon in Nadia district in 1785 and started residing at 54 Patuatola Lane near College Street, Kolkata.

After a few years his brother Ram Nidhi Bandhyopadhyay came from Nawgaon and stayed with him. Both the brothers were very dedicated and hardworking towards their work and could establish themselves in no time. They planned to celebrate a ten days Durga pujo at their home.

Ram Nidhi’s son Tarachand Bandhyopadhyay (1812--- ) grew up in Kolkata in a locality where education was flourishing. Schools, Colleges and Universities were coming up and started becoming an educational hub of India.

Tarachand took keen interest in studies and graduated with distinction. He pursued a career of an interpreter on behalf of the British Raj. His dedication and professionalism was appreciated which earned him the honour of Dewan.

He built a mansion at 9 Patuatola Lane opposite his father’s residence and shifted the Pujo in his newly constructed house.

Tarachand had four sons. His elder son was Beni Madhab Bondhyopadhyay (1846—1889). Beni Madhab from very childhood was brilliant in studies and pursued law as a career. He was very keen to study Attorneyship. In those days the legal selection committee only allowed Englishmen to study this coveted course. Beni Madhab applied to study Attorneyship and his case was considered by the jury for his educational qualification, determination and strong recommendations from the legal fraternity.

He passed out with flying colors and formed a partnership firm “Owen & Bonnerjea” with his partner Mr Owen. He had clients like Rani Rashmoni, Laatu Babu Chhatu Babu and other eminent personalities of those era. He fought difficult cases on their behalf against the Britishers and won. He was rewarded heavily for this and earned huge fortune.

He bought land next to his home at 8 Patuatola Lane and started making a palacial building. The building has 2 courtyards and a 3 arched Thakur Dalan. The building is styled in Gothic architecture and the ground floor is made out of pure white Italian marble. The building was completed in 3 years in 1890 only a few month before the Pujos. That same year he started Durga Pujo in his new Building.

The Pujo is still continuing with 10 days celebration till date with Cultural programs and distribution of Prasad all who drop in.

On the 100 th year in 1989 the Pujo was celebrated with much pomp and show. Eminent singer Ram Kumar Chattopadhyay and Birendra Krishna Bhadra graced the occasion with Agomoni songs and recitals. A souvenir was published on this occasion with the memoirs of the family members.

On the 125 th year in 2014 there was a 4 days gala event with cultural program, Shows and other entertainment programs. Ram Kumar’s son Srikumar Chattopadhyay performed in place of his late father.