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130-year-old tradition of door-to-door begging continues at Mondal household in Burdwan
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News18•13-10-2026, 17:39
130-year-old tradition of door-to-door begging continues at Mondal household in Burdwan
- •The 130-year-old Durga Puja tradition at the Mondal household in Kanchannagar, Burdwan, began in extreme poverty by weaver Panchkari Mondal
- •Following a divine vision and a prayer for a child, the family decided to organize Durga Puja despite severe financial hardships
- •To arrange funds for the initial puja, the family had to go door-to-door begging for rice and cowry shells
- •Although the family's financial condition has improved over time, the ritual of begging is still strictly observed to honor their ancestors
- •On Mahashashti, the Kola Bou is brought in a palanquin, and the puja follows the auspicious schedule of Maa Sarvamangala
Key Questions Answered
The tradition began about 130 years ago when weaver Panchkari Mondal and his wife, following a divine vision and a prayer for a child, decided to organize Durga Puja despite severe poverty by begging door-to-door for rice and cowry shells.
Yes, although the family's financial condition has greatly improved, the ancestral ritual of begging is still strictly observed today to maintain the custom, and many people even take vows to beg for wish fulfillment.
On Mahashashti, the Kola Bou is brought in a palanquin to officially begin the puja phase, and the entire schedule of the celebration follows the auspicious timings of the Maa Sarvamangala temple.
