Religion and Festivals of the Rajbanshis of West Dinajpur: A Brief Analysis

Abstract

The English word Religion is a Latin word, which means to bind together. It is the root of rites and rituals, which means the system of faith and worship which is the most important institutions of human culture, which relates people to each other on special occasions. The religious identity of the Rajbanshis is mystery till now. It is assumed by most of the historians and social scientist to give some clarification the Rajbanshis which is fictitious and fabricated. Originally they had a separate religious belief and cultural practices that is similar to dogmatic Hindu culture. Every community has some particular festivals which are interrelated with the culture and heritage of them. There were many God, Goddess and Deities who were worshiped by the Rajbanshis. Such as Dalapuja or Jeetastmi, Nabanna, Ambubachi or Amait,Hudum Deo or Megh Puja, Gambhira Puja, Pushuna or Pousha Parvan, Kash Puja, Gite worship, Charak etc. Most of the deities come from non-Aryan Tribes and some those have come from Vedic culture as well as from the Puranas. The Rajbanshis, like all ethnic communities in Bengal, worship the snake goddess of Manasa. Other deities are Gram Devata, Garam, Mader or Satyapeer, Sanyasi, Dharma Thakur, Masan, Shuvachani, Buri Thakur, Bastu Puja, Mahanta and Bishohari worship etc.