“ Do you know where Lord Shiva resides?”- I asked a girl at
Deulghata. The child along with his family members came to offer prayers to the heritage deities
at Deulghata. Deulghata is a well known pilgrimage and
traditional seat for worshippers and visitors. Major part of Lootera movie was shot from this place.
-“ Shiva stays in Himalaya”- a quick reply came from the
innocent child.
“ Do you know where the Devi Durga stays:
-“Himalaya”-
-‘OK.. now say where does
Saraswati ?”
_” Illu-Jagro”- a spontaneous answer I got.
“ Do you live in Illu?”
-“No.. I live in
Suisa,Baghmundi”
I was amazed. I had a question to myself why the child
replied that Goddess Swarasati is from Illu . The reply was given by Mithu- the
lady priest of Deulghata.
“Arabinda da, Illu is famous for Saraswati Puja. It’s a
small village in Jhaldah. This village
celebrates Swaraswati Puja in a gorgeous way never seen anywhere.”- Mithu
replied. “ the girl memorizes her experience of Swarasati puja at illo. If
possible ,come and see Swarasati puja there”.-she added.
This was my first acquaintance with Illu and its
relationship with Goddess Swaraswati. It was a long back memory. The memory surfaced when I reached Illu-Jargo
about two years back. That time I came straight way from Ajodhya Hills via
Kalimati. It was a pleasant journey all through . The hills and hillocks, the
crowns of the hills, lush green Palas,Sals
gave a pristine look. However, I had sharing with some of the households on different issues. I
was surmised again to hear “ Please come
during Saraswati festival”. I realized
the deity is deep in Illu’s heart.
On returning back I
was talking to some of my friends of Baghmundi about Illu. All they suggested me to visit Illu some times
during Saraswati puja. I experienced the
synonymous between Chandannagar & Jagat Dharti, between Shantipur & DolJatra and Chhatna
& Basuli. Similarly Illu is interwoven with the Gioddess Saraswati. It has
lost its identity and submerged with the deity of learning. Illu & Saraswati are one. This real fact I
heard from the surroundings of Pusti,
Bandra-Kalimatim Tulin,mathari-Khamar & Suisa.
I could not visit the place although longing
for couple of years. In spite, I
have a mindset on Ilu as Basant panchami nears.
I made a call to Joydev da- my friends from Jagro.
“ Joydev Da.. what are you doing?”- I asked
“ relatives from Jharkhand
have come. They will stay here for two days. All of them will enjoy
Saraswati Puja”- replied Joydeb Da.
I came to know. Goddess Saraswati unites family member during this time what
Durga or Kali can’t. The puja is their
community festival. This Puja strengthen family ties.
Thereafter, I
telephoned Sajal Mondal- the nephew of my friend Nirmal. Sajal was busy in the pandel. With his
friends he was chalking out programs to be held in the next days. I was elated
to know that they are highlighting local culture during this period. Their decoration
manifests the art works of Charida. Chow-mask of different are their
attractions. They will invite Jhumur singers in the staze. Their pandel theme
manifests in terms Manbhum culture. Baul songs would be their prime events this
time.
A small village having 600 0r near households would have twenty community Pandels. Viku Smritisangha-the
oldest club have been celebrating
Saraswati puja for more than sixty years. They have a budget of Rs.1.50 lakhs.
The striking point is that they never received sponsorship or they never beg
door to door or extract money from business-class or other sources. Members
donate from their own fund. I was informed many who are from this village and
staying outside donate spontaneously. It
was a great lesson to me. According
to Sajal there are other clubs such as
cargil clubm , Vivekananda Sporting Club , Bhabani Clubs that have budgets more than rs.lakhs. These
clubs also spent from own sources.
Next ,I had a chat with Rameswar Dhan from Baghmundi. In his words” we have hired a trekker and
visit Illu in the evening. Decoration of pandels with illumination is a
grandeur attraction of Illu.”
The whole village is light up. Lights could be seen from the
Jargo more. From the top of Buri hills it is a majestic view.
Today I heard that more than 60 thousands assembled in Illu-
village. No vehicles could reach the
village from Jagro-more.
All these remind me
the innocent girl whom i met long before.
She is absolutely right ‘ Saraswati
hails from Illu’.
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