Celebrating Generational Traditions: Durga Puja in Assam

A Legacy of Devotion

Long before Durga Puja became associated with grand public displays, vibrant lights, and large gatherings, it was celebrated in the privacy of family courtyards, where devotion was handed down through generations.

In Assam, numerous families continue to uphold this cherished tradition, transforming their homes into sacred spaces where ancestral practices, inherited duties, and personal faith intertwine.

From retrieving gold ornaments from safekeeping to preparing bhog over firewood, each ritual tells a unique story.

For four families in Sivasagar, Guwahati, Nazira, and Tezpur, Durga Puja transcends an annual festivity; it is a legacy preserved through generations.

Traditions in Sivasagar

Devotees in Kujibali Haahsora carry the goddess to the Dikhow River for immersion, honoring a deeply rooted family tradition (AT Image)

In Kujibali Haahsora, Sivasagar district, a household Durga Puja celebrated its centenary in 2011.

Bharat Prasad Borthakur, the family elder, believes that the continuity of this tradition lies in both the smallest ritual details and the devotion that unites the family.

An idol-making family from Sepon has been involved in the puja for generations, with the responsibility passed down from one artisan to his uncle and then to his nephew.

While the Borthakur family provides the idol's ornaments, the artisans ensure that its structure adheres to tradition.

In the past, the idol-maker would arrive at Kujibali Haahsora weeks before the festival to construct the framework, return to Sepon, and come back shortly before the puja to finalize the details.

This year, however, the next generation of artisans has suggested preparing the framework in Sepon before transporting it to the puja mandap.

“We have never altered the idol's structure since the puja began. We also instruct the artisan to ensure that Durga Ma’s gaze is directed towards the priest,” Borthakur explains.

Gold ornaments are exclusively retrieved for the festival, while clothing and other accessories are sourced from Tinsukia.

The rituals follow an ancient and unique bidhi, incorporating tantric elements. Instead of Sandhi Puja, the family observes Adharatri Puja late on Saptami, with animal and other sacrifices performed on Saptami and Navami.

Immersion Traditions

In Kujibali, the goddess is taken aboard a boat and given three rounds of the Dikhow River before immersion (AT Image)

The immersion on Dashami also follows a deeply personal tradition. Family members carry the goddess on their shoulders to the Dikhow River, where she is placed on a boat and given three rounds of the river before immersion.

Inside the temple, strict customs govern participation. Only family members are allowed to enter for the rituals. Women and girls don mekhela chador, while men and boys wear dhoti. Women who have undergone diksha prepare the bhog over firewood, while men and boys gather flowers, garlands, and other offerings early in the morning.

For Borthakur, these practices represent a sacred duty, not a public display. Photography is prohibited once worship begins, as the idol is viewed not as an art piece but as the living embodiment of the goddess.

“Once the puja starts, she is no longer just an idol. She is a deity, a living God, which is why photography is strictly forbidden inside the temple,” he states.

A Century of Worship in Guwahati

A century of devotion in Guwahati

In Uzanbazar, Guwahati, the Bishaya family is set to celebrate 101 years of their household Durga Puja this year.

The tradition began with a ghot puja initiated by Baroda Kanta Bishaya, the great-grandfather of Barsha Rani Bishaya.

It was her grandfather, Khiroda Kanta Bishaya, who later brought the worship of the goddess into the family home after witnessing celebrations at a nearby Barowari temple.

What started as a personal act of devotion gradually evolved into a lasting family tradition.

“No one can simply decide to conduct a Shakti Puja. It is because of Ma’s blessings that we have been able to continue it through the generations,” Barsha Rani Bishaya remarks.

Traditions in Nazira

Across generations, household Durga Pujas in Assam preserve ancestral customs, with every ritual reflecting the enduring bond between family, faith and heritage - the Durga Devi idol at Bishaya's under preparation (AT Image)

Today, local artisans craft the idol on-site, while clothing and accessories are sourced from Kumartuli in Kolkata. Gold ornaments adorn the goddess during the festival.

Despite offers from brands for sponsorship, the family has opted to finance the puja collectively. Sponsors may handle external decorations if they insist, but arrangements within the premises remain the family's responsibility.

For Barsha Rani Bishaya, conducting a Shakti Puja is a blessing in itself. She values the presence of devotees who have visited the household for years, making the annual celebration a convergence of family heritage and a broader community of faith.

Traditions in Tezpur

From a tea garden to Nazira

In Nazira, the Baruah family’s tradition dates back to when their ancestors conducted Durga Puja in a tea garden. When the family relocated to Nazira, the worship followed suit.

Nripen Baruah mentions that a local artisan continues to craft the idol, while the family manages the rituals and offerings.

His wife prepares the bhog, keeping its preparation within the household. A hired cook is only brought in to prepare meals for guests and devotees visiting during the festival.

“The puja has been conducted for generations. I cannot specify how many years it has been, but it began with our forefathers in the tea garden before we moved to Nazira,” Baruah shares.

151 Years of Worship in Tezpur

Priests perform the prescribed rituals as offerings and puja essentials are arranged before the goddess in a household Durga Puja in Nazira (AT Image)

In Kolibari, Tezpur, the Bhattacharyya family is preparing to celebrate 151 years of their Durga Puja, established by Bhabani Charan Bhattacharyya.

Samiran Bhattacharyya recalls a time when animal sacrifices were part of the worship, a practice that was discontinued nine years ago, illustrating how customs can evolve while the core observance remains intact.

The family continues to perform Adharatri Puja instead of Sandhi Puja, adheres to prescribed tithi timings without delay, and prepares bhog over firewood.

Preparations commence two to three weeks before the festival, with groceries purchased, the premises painted, and decorations arranged.

Around 150 to 200 people partake in the bhog, which includes fish, and visitors arriving for pushpanjali are also offered light refreshments.

The Essence of Tradition

A devotee performs aarti with dhuna before the goddess, adding to the sacred atmosphere of a traditional household Durga Puja in Tezpur (AT Image)

“We strictly adhere to the tithi and its timings. If the puja is scheduled to begin early in the morning, we commence without waiting for anyone. We consider it a blessing to offer bhog to devotees and guests,” Bhattacharyya emphasizes.

Across these four households, while the rituals and histories may differ, the underlying sentiment remains remarkably similar.

The duty of conducting Durga Puja is inherited, practiced, and renewed through daily acts of care.

When the goddess arrives, each home transforms into more than just a worship venue; it becomes a living archive of family history, where faith is measured not by the scale of the celebration but by the devotion with which every ritual is carried out.