Kumortuli
Kumartuli | |
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Neighbourhood in Kolkata (Calcutta) | |
Shyampukur |
Kumortuli (also spelt Kumartuli, or the archaic spelling Coomartolly) is a traditional potters' quarter in northern Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The city is renowned for its sculpting prowess. It not only manufactures clay idols for various festivals but also regularly exports them.
History
The British colonisation of Bengal and India started following the victory of the
Most of the artisans living in the
In 1888, one of the 25 newly organized police section houses was located in Kumartuli.[5]
Geography
Kumortuli is located in Ward No. 8 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, mostly between Rabindra Sarani (formerly Chitpur Road) and the Hooghly River. It is between Beniatola (Ahiritola) and Shobhabazar.[6] In maps showing thanas or police stations in old Kolkata, Kumortuli is shown as being between Shyampukur, Bartala, Jorasanko, Jorabagan and Hooghly River.[7]
Culture
Dhakeswari Mata Temple
Dhakeswari Mata Temple is a
The idol is 1.5 feet tall and has ten arms, which are mounted on a mythical lion in the form of Katyani Mahishasurmardini Durga. On her two sides are
Ballal Sen proceeded to have vivid dreams, one of which involved the deity Durga. He dreamt that Durga was hidden within the jungle; he proceeded to discover the said deity which was concealed there. In order to celebrate this discovery, he built a temple later named Dhakeswari. This explains the etymological meaning of "Dhakeswari", which means "covered or hidden deity". According to Bengali Hindus Dhakeswari is considered to be the presiding deity of Dhaka, which is an incarnation or form of Goddess Durga, the Adi Shakti. The idol of Durga is called Dhakeswari.[12]
In 1947, during the Partition of India, caretakers of the temple evacuated the idol from Dhaka to Calcutta, and it has remained there since.[8][13][14]
After this, a Tiwari family from Azamgarh was appointed by the royal family to undertake daily worship of the deity. In 1946, the descendants of that family, Prallad Kishore Tiwari (or Rajendra Kishore Tiwari) transported the idol in a highly confidential aircraft to Kolkata and was re-appointed, where they still serve the goddess continuously. After taken to Kolkata, the idol spent the next two or three years being worshipped in the Debendranath Chowdhury home.[8]
In 1950 the businessman Debendranath Chowdhary built the temple of the goddess in the Kumortuli area and established some of the goddess' property for her daily services.[8]
The Dhakeshwari devi worship is different from the traditional Durga puja of Bengal. According to the current priest of the temple, Shaktiprasad Ghosal, during Durga Puja, the goddess is worshipped in accordance with the Navratri or nine night rituals of Northern India.[8]
Famous residents
Being close to the heart of Kolkata, Kumortuli was home to a number of renowned or famous people during the Bengal Renaissance.
There is a road in Kumortuli named after Nandram Sen, a wealthy former resident. His wealth was accrued because of his status as the first tax collector of Kolkata, during the 1700s.[15] Gobindram Mitter, the tax collector after Nandram, lived in a large mansion on a sprawling 16-acre property during this time. His house is now known as one of the "Great Houses of Old Calcutta".[16]
Banamali Sarkar's famous house which is immortalized in Bengali rhyming proverb, was there till the 19th century. He has a winding lane named after him in Kumortuli.[17]
Transport
Rabindra Sarani passes through Kumortuli.[18]
Bus
- 43 Esplanade - Dakshineswar
Train
Metro
Nearest metro station is Sovabazar Sutanuti and through metro, it can be easily accessed the areas of Dakshineswar and New Garia (Kavi Subhash).
See also
- Dhakeshwari Mata Temple, Kumortuli
Gallery
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Ganesha clay images under preparation
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A general view of Banamali Sarkar Street
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Some finished mini products on sale at Kumortuli
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Idol making at Kumortuli
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Devi Durga ready for painting
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The workshop at Kumortuli before Puja
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Idol of Devi Durga is under preparation
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Idol of Kali
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Half finished Goddess Kali idol
References
- Cotton, H.E.A., Calcutta Old and New, 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- ^ Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 282-3
- ISBN 0-19-563696-1
- ^ Gupta, Bunny, and Chaliha, Jaya, Chitpur, in Calcutta, the Living City, Vol I, p. 27
- ^ Nair, P.Thankappan, The Growth and Development of Old Calcutta, in Calcutta, the Living City, Vol. I, pp. 18-19, Edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, Oxford University Press, 1995 edition.
- ^ Map nos. 6 and 12, Detail Maps of 141 Wards of Kolkata, D.R.Publication and Sales Concern, 66 College Street, Kolkata – 700073
- ^ Map on p. 16, Calcutta, the Living City, Vol I.
- ^ a b c d e f "কলকাতার কড়চা". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ Daniyal, Shoaib. "Bangladesh's most important Hindu temple has been witness to a tumultuous past". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Temple and a City". The Daily Star. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- from the original on 13 May 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "ঢাকেশ্বরী মন্দির, ঢাকা - আদার ব্যাপারী". আদার ব্যাপারী. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "ঢাকেশ্বরী মন্দির - বাংলাপিডিয়া". bn.banglapedia.org (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Dhakeshwari Temple, Dhaka". Places of Peace and Power. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ Cotton, H.E.A., p. 291
- ^ Deb, Chitra, The Great Houses of Old Calcutta in Calcutta, the Living City, Vol I.
- ^ Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 297-8
- ^ Google maps