Chapano Puja In 19th Century Bengal – Forced Durga
Puja
A Peculiar Custom in Old Kolkata
In 19th-century Kolkata, a curious and often troubling practice emerged during the Durga Puja season. Known as “Chapiye Deoya Pujo” or “Chapano Pujo”—literally meaning Forced or Imposed Puja—this tradition involved secretly placing a Durga idol at someone’s doorstep, compelling them to perform the festival rituals.
Christian Missionary Intervention
Christian Missionaries were baffled to see many British officers and their families participating in the Durga Puja celebrations. They were concerned and worried they got Durga Puja banned in 1840 in Kolkata. In 1840, the British government passed the "Dasnami Act," which prohibited the British and Hindus from participating in festivities, playing drums, or patronizing the pujas. As a result, the lavish pujas at the homes of Kolkata's rich were toned down. The British stopped attending, and as a result, the kings and landlords also scaled back their extravagant celebrations. This had a ripple effect on the entire city, and pottery-making communities in Kumortuli began to suffer. At this point, the tradition of "leaving Durga" began to gain prominence once again. Some people even used it as a commercial strategy, boosting the demand for the custom.
Targeting the Wealthy—but Miserly
The targets of this practice were usually affluent but frugal households. Groups of local boys would leave a small Durga idol—often nothing more than a bamboo frame coated with clay—outside the homes of rich neighbors.
Once the idol appeared, social norms dictated that the household must conduct the full Durga Puja, regardless of their wishes.
To meet these expenses, some families even resorted to taking loans or pledging women’s jewelry. The mischief-makers who left the idols behind often took delight in the homeowner’s helplessness.
By mid-Ashwin, wealthy families in Kolkata and the surrounding suburbs lived in constant fear, wondering if an unwanted Durga idol would suddenly appear at their door.
Avoidance, Resistance, and Rebellion
Not everyone submitted to the pressure.
Some households tried to hide the idol, while others immersed it quietly in the river without performing any rituals. About two centuries ago, a resident of Belgharia went so far as to smash the idol left at his doorstep.
A few especially stingy individuals removed only the Saraswati idol from the Durga set—keeping it for future worship during Magh to save money on buying a new one.
A Society Divided
Public opinion on Chapano Pujo was sharply split.
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Samachar Chandrika defended the custom, suggesting that the extra expenditure would not impoverish anyone and could bring spiritual merit in the afterlife.
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Samachar Darpan, however, condemned the practice as an unnecessary and burdensome waste of money.
This growing debate gradually shifted public attitudes. Concerns about economic strain began to outweigh beliefs in religious merit.
The Decline of Chapano Pujo
As social values evolved, the practice of forcing Durga Puja on unwilling households lost support. Over time, the tradition faded away, disappearing completely from Kolkata’s cultural landscape.
What remains today is a fascinating glimpse into the religious, social, and economic dynamics of 19th-century Bengal.
