Asansol. Situated on the banks of the Damodar River in Dhenua village of Hirapur, the Kalikrishna Ashram is known for a unique tradition of Durga Puja that sets it apart from other celebrations. Generally, the Devipaksha begins after Mahalaya during Durga Puja, followed by the prescribed rituals of Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami on specific dates. However, at this ashram, Goddess Durga's worship begins on the day of Mahalaya itself, and the idol is immersed on the same day after completing the main rituals. Devotees from far and wide reach here to witness this unique tradition and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga.
The serene banks of the Damodar River, the religious atmosphere of the ashram, and the specific method of worship make this event special. Here, a confluence of faith and a tradition continuing for years creates a special place in the hearts of devotees. The most special feature of Kalikrishna Ashram's Durga Puja is its timing and ritualistic procedure. The main rituals of Durgotsav are completed on the day of Mahalaya itself. The worship procedures associated with Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami are performed in a single day. Following this, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed. Generally, devotees associate Mahalaya with the remembrance of ancestors and the arrival of Devipaksha. On this very day, amidst preparations for Durga Puja, the sentiment of Goddess Durga's arrival on earth also grows stronger. Thus, completing all rituals from worship to immersion on Mahalaya itself makes the tradition of this ashram even more distinctive. For visiting devotees, this is not just an opportunity to witness worship, but also a unique religious experience. Due to the organization of various rituals of Durgotsav in a single day, devotees get the opportunity to witness multiple phases of worship together.
The second major feature of this ashram is the idols installed alongside Goddess Durga. Instead of the traditional idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Karthik, and Ganesh alongside Goddess Durga, idols of her two companions, Jaya and Vijaya, are installed here. While the tradition of installing idols of family members alongside the Goddess is commonly seen in Durga Puja, giving a place to Jaya and Vijaya at Kalikrishna Ashram gives the worship a different form. This is why people who know about this event remain eager to witness it.
According to information received from locals, the Kalikrishna Ashram was established in 1937 by sadhak Tejananda Brahmachari on the banks of the Damodar River. The religious and spiritual significance of this ashram, located near the river, has long been associated with the faith of the local people. In 1979, following a divine dream of the Goddess, the Agamani Durga Puja started here. Since then, the tradition of completing the main Durga Puja rituals and idol immersion on the day of Mahalaya has been continuously observed. According to local beliefs, the inception of this puja is tied to the Goddess's command. This belief gives special significance to the event for devotees. However, the basis of these historical and religious details is local tradition and information obtained from people. This decades-old tradition shows that the form of religious events can evolve in different places according to local beliefs, spiritual practices, and historical circumstances. Kalikrishna Ashram is a distinctive example of this.
