Durga Puja at Jharia, Rajbari in Jharkhand is famous for various rituals and is equally famous of its origin story.
Jharia Durga Puja Origin Story
Once upon a time, there was a wicked chieftain. The people
of Jharkhand were tormented by his cruelty. Every day they prayed to the
Goddess, “Please deliver us from his tyranny.”
One day, while traveling through the region, a young Rajput
warrior named Sangram Singh arrived. He took a vow to rescue the suffering
people. Naturally, this brought him into conflict with the chieftain. During
the battle, the chieftain was slain. But the chieftain, too, was a devotee of
the Goddess. Because of that, his sword would not fall from his hand — Sangram
struck him repeatedly, yet the sword refused to drop.
Then Sangram Singh began to chant hymns in praise of Goddess
Durga. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess appeared before him and
instructed him to offer poya — rice cakes — with devotion as part of her
worship. For one who triumphs in autumn, the Goddess said, worshiping Durga is
a sacred duty. Sangram Singh bowed his head and accepted the divine command. At
that very moment, the sword slipped from his hand.
From that day, Durga Puja began. About three and a half
centuries ago, the royal lineage of Jharia was founded by Sangram Singh. Since
then, the royal family has celebrated the grand autumnal festival of Durga Puja
with great pomp and devotion every year.
Rajbari Jharia Durga Puja Rituals
Even today, the family’s worship follows the methods
described in a special manuscript based on the Kalika Purana. Its rituals are
somewhat unusual. On the morning of Saptami (the seventh day), the
daughters-in-law of the family, accompanied by the queen, bathe the Nabapatrika
(sacred plant symbolizing the goddess) in the royal pond. They then proceed to
the family shrine, where the ancient sword and the household deity’s idol are
kept. Alongside Durga Puja, these deities too are worshipped.
According to the Goddess’s instruction, the chief lady of
the household personally prepares and offers poya — rice offerings — to the
Goddess. In the past, a hundred goats were sacrificed on Navami (the ninth
day), though now the number has greatly decreased. Yet the same devotion and
joy remain unchanged. On Dashami (the tenth day), the Goddess is immersed in
the royal pond itself.
450-year-old Sita Ghar
At this time, the 450-year-old Sita Ghar (Sita’s House) is
opened. This is one of the key symbols of the royal lineage. Though the palace,
halls, and temple of the kings are grand and magnificent, the Sita Ghar remains
made of earth and straw — lovingly maintained and preserved through the ages.