Ramananda Bati, Seakhala, Hoogly

According to legends, dacoits attacked a household and were temporarily blinded by the ferocious Goddess Kali, the worshipped ancestral deity. On the next morning, these dacoits prayed for their lives to the head of the family. Upon being sprayed by sacred water they regained their eyesight. This household is known as Ramananda Bati, located at Ilipur area, Seakhala panchayat, Jangipara Bidhan Shabha of Hugli District, West Bengal. 

Kali pujo is being performed with much grandeur for the past 560 years. People throng from near and far in huge numbers during this auspicious occasion. 

The Maharaja of Burdwan was taken seriously ill on his visit to village Kashipur (present day Cossipore). He was miraculously cured by Kabiraj (Ayurvedic doctor) Kalika Thakurani. The King gifted him a huge plot of land including 7 ponds. Thus, the house is also known as Kabiraj bati till today. 

The land was dedicated to Mother Kali and is not owned by any person, a concept commonly known as debottor sampatti (possession of the Lord). Later, a descendant Kabiraj Ramadanda established the temple and thakur dalan. On either side of the worship area of Goddess Kali, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Bhairabnath and Sambhunath. In front of the temple is the worship area of Narayan. Toward the backside is a temple of Lord Shiva. The idol of Goddess Kali is placed overlooking the original house, which sadly today is in a much dilapidated state. 

The temple was later renovated by notable physician Dr. Nalin Behari Gupta.  

It has been passed on for generations that at one time human sacrifice was performed to satisfy the Goddess. As such, the podium (bedi) on which the idol is placed has five skulls (tantric, hanuman, fox, snake and lamb) underneath. This sort of podium is called as pancha mundi ashon in Bengali. Another such podium is also present near one of the ponds. Previously buffalo sacrifice was performed and now lambs are offered to the deity. On every new moon (amavasya) and from Laksmi pujo to Kali pujo, chandi path (chanting) is performed. 16 priests are involved in the worship practices and the idol is immersed in one of the ponds. On the next day the poor people were served, what is known as dariddro Narayan seva.  Bengali theatre popularly known as jatra is performed after the immersion.

Most descendants are spread all over India and abroad, while a few remain in the original land. None of the later family members went on to practise ayurveda, though several of them went on to excel in their respective professional lives. The pristine, unpolluted atmosphere far from the hustle and bustle of the city is soothing to the soul. On the occasion of Kali pujo, the Goddess is worshipped nightlong. The ambience gets a vibrant festivity with the elaborate lightening, sound of dhhak, crackers, stalls selling various commodities and huge masses of people gathering to pay homage to this much revered deity.

It is a blessing to be a part of this family from my maternal side.

Mother Kali


The Deity





Dasha Mahavidya adorning the walls

Dasha Mahavidya adorning the walls

Thakur dalan



Night view

Entrance

Shib Mandir

Way to the original building

Mandir



Original architechture


Second floor of the original building

View from terrace

View from terrace

Family tree



Bedi

Khirki pukur (one of the ponds)






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