Mother Kali is worshipped in the form of four sisters; this tradition of Amadpur is nearly 400 years old. Amadpur is a village in the Memari police station area of East Bardhaman district, Bengal. Every year, a festival is held here on the occasion of Kali Puja coinciding with Diwali. The festival is so popular that many people call this village 'Kalikshetra' (the sacred land of Kali)! Amadpur is also famous for its ancient terracotta temples.
In 2026, Kali Puja at Amadpur is on November 8.
Worship of Kali in the form of four sisters
The main attraction of Amadpur village is the 'four sisters'
form of Kali! Goddess Kalika is worshipped here in the form of four sisters!
This form of the goddess represents a tradition that is over 400 years old. The
worship of the Mother in the form of four sisters in the same village is quite
rare.
Boro Maa, Mejo Maa, Sejo Maa, and Chhoto Maa
The names of the four sisters are respectively - Boro Ma
(eldest mother), Mejo Ma (second mother), Sejo Ma (third mother), and Chhoto Ma
(youngest mother). Upon entering the village, one first encounters Boro Ma. The
idol stands approximately 20 feet tall. Following this, one sees the other
three sisters, who are also massive in size.
Behula River and the saint's place of worship
The history of this worship is nearly 400 years old. At one
time, the Behula River flowed beside this village, along whose banks was a
great cremation ground. It is said that a saint used to perform Kali sadhana
(spiritual practice) there.
Merchants' faith and the glory of Mother Kali
It is heard that merchants would worship the goddess here to
escape from bandits, and they would be saved from danger! From that faith, the
practice of Kali Puja began here. In Amadpur, Kali Puja is celebrated with more
grandeur than Durga Puja.
Immersion procession - a rare sight
The immersion begins the night after Kali Puja. There is a
festive atmosphere throughout the village for the immersion. The four sisters
are carried in chaturdhola (palanquins - actually carried on shoulders). This
is a special tradition of the worship here.
'Dance of the goddess' in darkness - 'Kali dance' in torchlight
After 12 midnight, all the lights in the village are turned
off. The procession continues only by torchlight. To the beats of dhak (drums)
and kanshar (cymbals), wild dancing is performed with the goddess on shoulders.
Devotees believe that it is by the goddess's power that such large idols dance!
Village circumambulation throughout the night
The immersion procession begins after 12 midnight. The four
sisters circumambulate the village throughout the night. The process ends
around 7 in the morning. People crowd from far and wide to witness this
spectacle.
Meeting of the four sisters at the zamindar's quarters
On the night of immersion, the four sisters come together at
the zamindar's (landlord's) quarters. There, their dance continues for quite
some time. This reunion ceremony is filled with devotion and emotion. After
this, the goddesses are taken one by one to the ghat (riverbank).
Worship of Bhairava and other deities
In this village,
besides the four sisters, there are more than a hundred Kali idols!
Siddheshwari, Burima, Dakat Kali - such goddesses are also worshipped. On Kali
Puja day, Bhairava (Mahadeva/Shiva) is also worshipped here.