The history of Chandannagar on its own is a separate, colourful, self fulfilling chapter. Chandannagar occupies a special place in the Socio-Political history of Eastern India.
Chandannagar carnival means the Jagadhatri Puja of Chandannagar, is a socio-cultural event in this region. The carnival with its light and colour attracts all the communities from other states and abroad – thus attaining a secular nature.
The people of Chandannagar celebrate this carnival with images gorgeously decorated with Shola – pith ornaments in brilliantly and innovatingly lit puja pandals. Furthermore, on the day of immersion, traditional processions with colourful tableux, music, lights etc. adds to the grandeur of the Carnival.
This year Chandannagar carnival will be held on the 29th, 30th, 31st October 2006 and 1st November 2006 with usual pomp and glory.
The history of Jadhatri Puja in Chandannagar is not clear even today. It is heard that Indranarayan Chowdhury, the Courtier of French east India Company, introduced the Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar in the manner of Maharaja Krishna Chandra of krishnannagar. The time of the beginning of the Jagadhatri Puja in krishnananagr was 1762. It was the last year of the reign of Nawab Mirkashem. Indranarayan Chowdhury died in 1756. So Indranarayan Chowdhury could by no means introduced the jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar in 1763. The beginning of Jadhatri Puja in Chandannagar probably datr=es back earlier than 1750. Indranarayan Chowdhury performed the jadhatri Puja at his own house in Chandannagar at the time Maharaja Krishna Chandra used to come to borrow money from Indranarayan Chowdhury. Perhaps as per the recorded statements, Krishna Chandra was attracted towards the greatness of Devi Jadhatri at this time and he introduced Jagadhatri Puja in Krishnanagar in 1762.
In those days the Loxmigunj Rice market (local market of Chandannagar) was known as Granary of Bengal. The Jagadhatri Puja at Chowlpatty (Rice Market) in Loxmigunj is probably the historic example of the ancient community Jagadhatri Puja. The date of the Community Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar was 1790.
The formal difference between Durga and Jagahatri occurs in Maya tantra. Jagadhatri is mentioned with reference to Durga in Krishnannada’s tantrasar. The forheaded goddess is carried by the lion everywhere, an elephant lies at the feet of the lion. The idol has an old fashioned shaping, i.e. the face cutting is of a longish pattern; it has large eyes spread up to years and the four hands display conch, discus, shaft and bow respectively. The exterior colour of the goddess is that of rising sun. The snake is Her sacred thread. She is seated on a lotus. The potter’s technique of building the idol is commendable indeed. The maximum height of the idol is twenty-two feet. One of the main attraction of Jagadhatri Puja of Chandannagar is the ornamental decoration of the goddess with shoal and the beautiful canvas of mats with paintings at the back of the image. The idols of the goddess assumes a unique beauty with the beautiful cloth, veil, ornaments and crown made with pith by the florist artists of this place. The decoration of images and Chalchitra is done mostly with pith (shola), dazzling chumkis and brilliantly coloured paper made articles. The craftsmen come from Bonkapasi and adjacent villages in the katoa subdivision of Bardhaman district, while clay modellers come from Shantipur in Nadia District to assist the locals.
Elaborate police arrangements are made to control the huge visitors. One of the main duties of the police personnel to keep a vigilant eye to ensure celebrations pass peacefully and in an orderly manner. A special control room is opened every year.
The eastern railway runs special trains in daytime and even at late night between Howrah and Bandel with stoppages at all intermediate stations. More than a dozen additional ticket booking windows are opened at Chandannagar, Mankundu and Bhadreswar stations.
Chandannagar has already earned a name and fame in the illumination field. Newly invented lights are exhibited at different puja pandals which are constructed in depicting historicals, religious and mythological monuments and scenes.
The immersion procession is a really a memorable and enjoyable sight. To witness this lakhs of people visit every year in Chandannagar. The beautifully decorated tall images, loaded on trucks, are taken round the city in a procession, which will be held this year on 1st November. Each participating image carrying trucks will move by bands and artisans. The processions are accompanied by innovative tableaux.
For the convenience of visitors, guide maps and children identity cards are distributed.
Chandannagar Municipal Corporation renders all sorts of help and possible assistance to focus this Carnival , a grand success.
