It is said that Durga Puja has been practiced in Assam since time immemorial. However, Archaeological excavations at various places in Assam have unearthed sculptures of Shiva-Parvati, Dashmukha, Dashbhuja Durga, Singhabahini Durga, etc., dating from the ninth century to the thirteenth century. On the other hand, according to some archaeologists, the sculptures of Shiva and Durga recovered in many places date back to the 7th century or earlier. Based on this, many of them believe that Durga Puja has been practiced in Assam since before the 7th century.
According to the Kalika Purana, the first puja or adoration of Goddess Durga in Assam is at Shaktirupini Mahamaya Peetha or Kamakhya Dham, considered to be the best pilgrimage. And from then until now that continuity or tradition has been going on.
According to some historians, Durga was worshiped by Bali Narayan, the king of Darrang in 1614 AD. That was the worship of the goddess. They worshiped instead of celebrating festivals like today.
Maharaja Naranarayana made Durga Puja by making a clay idol for the first time in Assam.
The Ahoms came to know about the worship of Durga, and the earthen idol of the Koch kingdom when the friendship between Naranarayana and the Ahom Swargadeu Chufamfaa was established. After this, the clay idol of Goddess Durga is worshiped at Bhatiapara village on the banks of Namdang River in the Shivsagar district. Thus began a new awakening in the Brahmaputra valley and the practice of worshiping the earthen idol of the goddess was introduced.
(The article is solely the opinion of the author. The views expressed here are solely personal and not in any way connected to any organisation or any political party ).
The writer is a Renown Photographer of Assam and also focus Travel related Issue.