This is a bit cloudy to me. There is always a reason why a celebration happens. Tilak, for example , is supposed to have started Ganesha Festival in Maharashtra.
Thus, what was the catalyst to start the Autumn Durga Festival in Bengal?
If I believe what I had read long back, this dates back to the battle of Plassey or Palashi.
Clive had won a war. He wanted to pray to God. Alas, the church was destroyed in the war.
When Raja Nabakrishna Deb came to know of Clive’s desire, he invited the latter to his house at Durga Puja and offer his thanks at the feet of Goddess Durga. Initially Clive had some hesitations to attend the puja as in those days Christians were not allowed by the Hindus to take part in Hindu festivities. However, the mighty Nabakrishna Deb managed it all and Robert Clive paid a visit to the Shobhabazar Rajbari to offer his thanks to Goddess Durga. Thereafter, the Shobhabazar Durgotsab(Durga Puja ceremony) came to be known as the "Company Puja".
But was this the first Puja? Probably no.
Was this puja done for Clive? No idea.
Still searching for the answer.
Thus, what was the catalyst to start the Autumn Durga Festival in Bengal?
If I believe what I had read long back, this dates back to the battle of Plassey or Palashi.
Clive had won a war. He wanted to pray to God. Alas, the church was destroyed in the war.
When Raja Nabakrishna Deb came to know of Clive’s desire, he invited the latter to his house at Durga Puja and offer his thanks at the feet of Goddess Durga. Initially Clive had some hesitations to attend the puja as in those days Christians were not allowed by the Hindus to take part in Hindu festivities. However, the mighty Nabakrishna Deb managed it all and Robert Clive paid a visit to the Shobhabazar Rajbari to offer his thanks to Goddess Durga. Thereafter, the Shobhabazar Durgotsab(Durga Puja ceremony) came to be known as the "Company Puja".
But was this the first Puja? Probably no.
Was this puja done for Clive? No idea.
Still searching for the answer.
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