Mahishasura Worshipped In Durga Puja At Phalawra Purulia, Bengal By Kherwal Santal Sect – Hudur Durga
In the village of Phalawra in Purulia, Bengal, Mahishasura is worshipped and no Durga Puja is performed here instead Hudur Durga is observed. During the autumnal season, there is no festivity in the village; instead, mourning is observed. The Kherwal Santal community of this village observe Hudur Durga. Here Mahishasura is not a demon but a protector and savior of Santal community who was was deceived and killed.
Who is this Hudur Durga?
Members of this Santal community believe that Hudur was
their ancestor and a mighty king. They hold that the figure referred to in
Hindu scriptures as Mahishasura was actually Hudur. And they believe he was
deceitfully killed by Durga—an “upper-caste woman.” It is in remembrance of
this event that the Hudur Durga tradition is observed.
Background And Traditional Story Of Hudur Durga
According to the Kherwals’ belief, their forefathers were
the true ancestors of the Santal people. They lived in a prosperous settlement
called Chaichampa. Everyone in that land lived happily. But the upper castes
had their eyes on this territory. Although the upper castes tried repeatedly to
seize this land, King Hudur of the Kherwals thwarted them each time with his
great strength.
It is said that, in such circumstances, the upper castes
conspired against Hudur. They knew that the Kherwal people would never attack a
woman. Taking advantage of this, they arranged the marriage of an upper caste
maiden to Hudur. Later, the newly married woman deceived and killed her
husband—Hudur, or Mahishasura. For this reason, the autumn festival is not a
time of joy for the Kherwal Santals but a time of sorrow. They believe that
after King Hudur was killed, the upper castes unjustly occupied their land and
wealth, forcing the Kherwals to flee from their homes.
Following this ancient traditional narrative, the Kherwal Santal community observes Hudur Durga. It is not a festival but can rather be described as a commemoration of a martyr.