Rashedul Islam
According to the calendar of the people of Sanatan Dharma, Siddheshwari Puja has been organized under a century-old banyan tree on the first day of Baishakh in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. Women gather in groups to worship and pray for peace, prosperity, and well-being in the country and in their families. A three-day fair is held around this puja. Locally, this fair is known as Bou Mela. And this joyous event has brought together not just one community, but people from all surrounding communities. In the village of Joyrampur in Sonargaon Upazila of Narayanganj, brides and mothers of children stand in rows under a nearly century-old banyan tree carrying baskets of various fruits to worship. Traditional virgin girls, dressed in colorful floral arrangements, stand alongside them. Everyone’s eyes are on the banyan tree. This worship of a banyan tree in the form of Goddess Siddheshwari began about a hundred years ago. This puja has been held from generation to generation. Initially, this event was only for the newlyweds of the family, but later women of all ages participated in it. The local Sanatan people named the century-old banyan tree as Siddheshwari Devi. This tree is known as Siddheshwari Kalitala. But in the area it is called Bautala. Men also attend this fair, but in fewer numbers. Like every year, this year too, people of the Sanatan community have organized a puja at Siddheshwari Kalitala. Women are standing in lines with seasonal fruits and placing them under the banyan tree for puja. After the puja, it is being distributed as prasad. Visitors to the fair have been performing pujas here every year for the well-being of their families. This is a very old tradition, they participate in this puja for the well-being of their families. The main puja is held at noon and from early morning, the wives of the family bathe here and offer oil and water to Shri Siddheshwari Kali Maa and wish for the well-being of all the family. During the fair, Siddheshwari Kali Devi is worshipped at this tree. According to the tradition, women of different ages put soil at the base of this tree. One curry is added to the soil. This fulfills the wishes of the heart. Moreover, the more members a family has, the more often soil has to be given. Nilutpal Roy, the organizer of the puja, said, “Initially, men did not come here, this puja was open only to women. Son-in-laws were invited. They used to come to the fair, but they did not participate in the puja. That is why this fair has been known as the bride fair since then.” This puja is organized on the first day of the New Year to wish the well-being of the countrymen. This puja is organized so that the new year may be a good one, so that everyone may be well and live in peace. This puja has been organized for almost a hundred years. The atmosphere of the Baisakhi festival prevails in the entire area, centered around the Bride Fair.