People's Maa Durga turns hundred

Durga Pujo has been a community building force for the Bengalis since feudalism gave way to commonwealth. Belgharia Buro Shibtola has been keeping this community alive for a hundred years now. Starting in 1925, freedom fighters along with the inherently local families started the celebration of power and liberty without any prejudice of gender, caste, or creed.

- MOHUL BHATTACHARYA

The Shiv temple which later got the name of Buro Shibtola was established in the late 18th century after a local resident had supposedly gotten a divine providence that a shiv-ling was to be found in the adjacent pond. The pond also got its name, “Mahesh” from the same folk legend. Belgharia saw a rise in nationalism a few years after this. There was a horseshoe shaped locality, which still exists in Belgharia but has been filled up by urban growth. Shibtola being one prong of this horse shoe, the other prong extended to what is present day the Belgharia Post Office building. This horse shoe became the ecosystem for all individuals active socially, culturally, and politically. Thus began the community. This community was not restricted to just Belgharia, but extended well into the national landscape.