| Hindus form the
main community in the district. The Muslims, Tribals, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and the
Sikhs are very few. Numerically the Mahisyas who often call themselves Kaivartas form a
strong caste. Along with the Bagdis andSadgops, other important castes, they are the
cultivating communities. They are staunch Hindus. A
district like this which is educationally advanced, politically important and where the
Hindu population does not consist mainly of tribals or a conglomeration of various
backward communities would naturally have a number of importantplaces for Hindu pilgrimage
and the religious cults would be well-defined. "The principal places of Hindu
pilgrimage in the district are Tribeni, Mahesh, Ballavpur, Guptipara, Tarakeswar and
Chinsura.
The principal Hindu festivals celebrated at Tribeni are (1)
Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan held on the last day of paus and the first day of Magh, (2)
the Vishnupadi Sankranti, on the last day of Magh, held in honor of the Sun at the vernal
equinox; (3) Baruni, the great bathing festival of Bengal, held in the month of Chaitra,
in honor of Baruna, the god of the waters, the festival lasting one day; (4) Dasahara, in
Jaistha, in honor of the goddess Ganga, lasting one day; (5) Kartik Puja on the last day
of Kartik. |
