Author:

Independent Scholar
Department of History,
University of North Bengal
Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

Email: rajeshroy.set@gmail.com

Abstract:: The sub-Himalayan area North Bengal which means the North region of West Bengal is really covered by the districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Darjeeling. Hills, mountains, rivers and green forests make it a sublime natural beauty. People of different cultures, religions and languages live together. The majority of people belong to Rajbanshi. The Rajbanshi are the major ethnic group of North Bengal. They worship natural power such as the goddess rivers, goddess forests etc. In spite of this, they have some separate Gods and Goddesses as well as practices like Garam Thakur, Kali Bishoori, Sannyasi, Terea fela, Chor Khela, Tistaburi, Naya Khoi, Mecheni Khela, Bas Khela, Dharam Thakur, Gorinath khela, Akso Haka etc. The Rajbanshi display their devotion to these gods and Goddesses for saving them from various evils. In this article, I shall attempt to highlight the Religious beliefs and Practices of Rajbanshi people in Jalpaiguri Districts.

Key Words:: Folk Culture, Gods and Goddesses, Prag-Jotishpur, Rajbanshi etc.