Moulvibazar village preserves 300-year-old red Durga tradition

Collected Photo

While Goddess Durga is traditionally depicted in golden or fair hues, a centuries-old tradition in Panchgaon village of Rajnagar upazila, Moulvibazar, sees the goddess worshipped in a distinctive red complexion.

For more than 300 years, the unique tradition has drawn thousands of devotees and visitors from across Bangladesh and abroad during Durga Puja, turning the village into a major gathering place for worshippers eager to witness the rare custom and seek the goddess’s blessings.

According to local folklore, the tradition was introduced nearly three centuries ago by Sarbananda Das, a spiritual practitioner who lived in Assam’s Sivasagar for work.

Legend has it that while performing worship at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam, Das witnessed a miraculous event. During the rituals, the complexion of a young girl reportedly turned crimson. Believing that the goddess herself had appeared before him, Das prayed for her to visit his birthplace, Panchgaon, every year during Durga Puja.

According to local belief, the goddess instructed him that her idol in Panchgaon must be worshipped in red. Since then, the distinctive tradition has been preserved through successive generations, making the red-hued idol the defining feature of the village’s Durga Puja celebrations.

Every year, Panchgaon comes alive during the festival as thousands of devotees from different parts of Bangladesh and abroad gather at the temple to see the red Durga idol and offer prayers.

Alongside the religious rituals, a large fair is held on the temple premises, drawing visitors from different communities and adding to the festive atmosphere.

Sumanta Das, president of the Panchgaon Union Parishad Puja Celebration Committee, said the temple had attracted devotees for more than three centuries and that the tradition had gained recognition beyond Bangladesh.

“This is not merely a religious ceremony; it is a symbol of our longstanding heritage and the deep faith of devotees. It is our responsibility to preserve this tradition, which has continued for generations,” he said.

Local authorities have taken measures to ensure peaceful celebrations. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Rajnagar police station, said police were working to maintain law and order at puja mandaps across the upazila.

He expressed hope that the celebrations would conclude peacefully in a festive atmosphere.

A village steeped in history

Beyond its religious significance, Panchgaon is associated with important historical events. The village bears memories of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and is linked to the legacy of Leela Nag, a prominent revolutionary figure of the Indian subcontinent.

Its centuries-old religious tradition, historical connections and deep-rooted local beliefs have given Panchgaon a distinctive identity.

For local residents, the worship of the red-hued Durga is more than a religious festival. It is an enduring symbol of the region’s history, culture and heritage.