Sovabazar Rajbari Durga Puja 2025: Kolkata’s Oldest Heritage
Want to travel back in time this Durga Puja? Step inside the Sovabazar Rajbari, home to one of Kolkata’s oldest and most prestigious pujas, started in 1757. Forget fleeting themes; this North Kolkata heritage celebration offers an authentic glimpse into centuries-old rituals and aristocratic grandeur.
Discover the deep-rooted history and timeless devotion of this iconic bonedi bari (aristocratic family) puja, an essential experience for any cultural enthusiast.
The Durga puja is mainly celebrated in West Bengal, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Orissa, Delhi, Pune, and other cities. Even abroad, in New York, Japan, London, Australia, New Jersey, Switzerland, the UK, and Bangladesh, Durga Puja is celebrated with grand celebrations.
North Kolkata Sovabazar Rajbari Durga Puja
Location of Sovabazar Rajbari
Sovabazar Rajbari is located in Shyambazar, in the extreme north of Kolkata. There are two places. The first one was given to Raja Gopimohan Deb, son of Raja Nabakrishna Deb. Later, he built another palace just opposite his existing palace for another son, Raja Raj Krishna Deb.
Address: 36 Naba Krishna Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700005, India.
How to Reach Sovabazar Rajbari Durga Puja
The palace is a few meters away from the Sovabajar Sutanuti metro station. You can also reach Sovabazar Rajbari by bus, auto, or by car. The nearest bus stop is Lal Mandir, near Jaipuria College. Sovabazar Rajbari is well-connected by road and metro rail.
Shobhabazar Rajbari Kolkata Entry Fee and Timings
There is no entry fee to visit Sovabazar Rajbari. During Durga Puja, it remains open for visitors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
About Sovabazar Rajbari’s Durga Puja
Raja Nabakrishna Dev established this Palace. The name Sovabazar Rajbari is inseparably connected with Kolkata’s history and heritage.
The first Durga puja of Sova Bazar Rajbari took place in 1757, just after winning the battle of Palasi. Since then, the Durga puja of Sovabazar Rajbari has followed its distinct culture and tradition.
The central essence of this puja lies in its distinct tradition and rituals. Every year, the same size and pattern of the idol is maintained. Pratima’s pattern is called ‘Ekchala’. The attire of the Pratima is called ‘ Daker Saj’. In Bengali, ‘Dak’ means post. In Sovabazar Rajbari, the lion is replaced with Gotokmukhi Singha; the body is that of a lion, and the face is that of a horse.
The Puja’s essence begins with worshipping the structure (kathamo puja). On the day of Krishna Nabami, the inauguration(Bodhon) of the Devi takes place on the ‘thakur dalan’ of the palace. From that day, the Brahmins started the Chandipath, Ramayan, and Madhusudhan paths, which continued until the beginning of Durgapuja.
The Rajbari idol painting method is also very different. Each idol has its specific features. Special artists were once appointed to maintain Pratima’s traditional look.
The tradition is still followed, though a few modifications have been made to reflect the present day. The Devi is worshipped with sweets (mishtanna bhog). Specially trained workers used to come and stay there to make the sweets. The tradition is continuing.
The formal Puja begins in the evening of Sasthi. The pot (ghot) is placed before the devi. The Devi Idol is ornamented with gold jewellery. In both the Rajbari, Maa Durga is worshipped as Vaishnavi. The emergence of the Devi brings a new sparkle to every corner of the palace.
The royal puja is embedded with rituals. On the dawn of Saptami, the ‘Kalabou snan’ ritual is in the palace. The procession with ornamented Kalabou goes to Ganga for the bath. The women sing during the procession. An umbrella made of red velvet was held over Kalabou’s head.
In those days, the intense cannon fire marked the beginning of the Ashtami puja. But with the flow of time, Cannons have been replaced by guns. The Ashtami puja begins with the firing of the gun. 108 lamps are lit up in the Thakur Dalan.
The Matri Vandana Begins. On the last day of Dashami, the rituals of ‘Kanakanjali’ are performed. The rituals of worshipping the horses were also present. But now, the rituals are maintained by feeding the horse chickpeas.
The process of the Deity’s immersion is also unique. Two boats go in the middle of the Ganga, placing the Idol in the middle. The boats are set apart, and the idol is immersed in the river.
The glory, culture, and traditions have now crossed religious borders, and Durga Puja is a Universal Utsav. The bricks of the Rajbari have witnessed the footsteps of so many legends.
Along with a touch of modernisation, the Sovabazar Rajbari’s puja still carries the fragrance of History, as if the rajbari celebrates History and its great beginnings every year.
Durga Puja Near Shobhabazar Rajbari
There are many pujas near the Sovabazar Rajbari that can be visited. Beniatola Sen Bari, Dhar barir puja, Aahiritola sarbojonin, Kumurtuli etc,
History of Sovabazar Rajbari
Sovabazar Rajbari is well known as Kolkata’s heritage palace. The name ‘Sovabazar’ derives from ‘ Subahar Bazar’, long before the establishment of Sovabazar Rajbari. Raja Nabakrishna Dev established Sovabazar Rajbari.
Sovabazar Rajbari is also called ‘Bagh wala bari’, indicating the symbol of aristocracy. At the hands of Nabakrishna Dev’s father, the Dev family initially gained social and financial fame. After his father’s sudden death, Naba Krishna Deb’s mother stayed at Sovabazar permanently.
Nabakrishna Dev was intelligent and acquired proficiency in English, Urdu, Arabic, and French at a very young age. He was appointed a Munshi of Derek Saheb and later a French teacher of Warren Hastings. From this time, Nabakrishna Dev’s loyalty and friendship with the British grew.
He played an essential role in British activities in India and even in the Palasi War. After Siraj-ud-Daullah’s defeat in the Battle of Palasi, Raja Nabakrishna Deb built a new palace and began celebrating Durga Puja. Many important delegates, including the British, used to attend and participate in the Durga puja.
Durga Puja Dates 2025
| Days | Dates |
| Mahalaya | 21st September, 2025 |
| Maha Shashti | 28th September, 2025 |
| Maha Saptami | 29th September, 2025 |
| Maha Ashtami | 30th September, 2025 |
| Maha Navami | 1st October, 2025 |
| Maha Dashmi | 2nd October, 2025 |
Conclusion
The Sovabazar area of North Kolkata is one of the best places to visit in the city, especially during the Durga Puja. Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paranhansadev, Sister Nivedita, Rabindranath Tagore, and so many aristocrats and Jamindars witnessed the glory of the Palace.
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