Author:

Khokan Das
Assistant Professor
Department of History
S.B.S. Government College, Hili
Dakshin Dinajpur,West Bengal,India

Email: daskhokan1990@gmail.com

Abstract:: The Vandani Puja or Banadurga Puja, the unique traditional festival among the “son of soil”
as well as the Rajbanshi Community is celebrated with holistic rituals and great enthusiastic vives for
three days after the end of the Durga Puja in the Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar district of North
Bengal. This Puja is started from the Ekadashi tithi along with the rural fair especially at the Barnish
Gram, Shalkumarhat, Meteli and the other tea garden areas of the concerned area. The historians,
Research Scholars and the oral traditions of the aged people expressed the three views about the origin
and arrangement of the puja among the Rajbanshi people of North Bengal. The rural economy of that
area is based on the agriculture base activity and festivals along with the village fairs which is greatly
affected by the Vandani Puja or Banadurga Puja from a long time. The ethnic identity, religious beliefs
and practices are reflected by this puja and the other communities also participated across the region.

Key Words:: Asura, Banadurga, Goddess, Maharaja, Folklore,Son of Soil, Vandani etc.