“ Do you know where Lord Shiva resides?”- I asked a girl at Deulghata. The child along with his family members came to offer prayers to the heritage deities at Deulghata. Deulghata is a well known pilgrimage and traditional seat for worshippers and visitors. It is located 18km from Purulia town, on the banks of the Kangsabati river and temple architecture has been inspired by Jainism that once had a firm foothold in the region. Major part of Lootera movie was shot from this place.
-“ Shiva stays in Himalaya”- a quick reply came from the innocent child.
“ Do you know where the Devi Durga stays:
-“Himalaya”-
-‘OK..now say where does Saraswati ?”
_” Iloo-Jagro”- a spontaneous answer I got.
“ Do you live in Iloo?”
-“No.. I live in Suisa,Baghmundi”
I was amazed. I had a question to myself why the child replied that Goddess Swarasati is from Iloo .To my query Mithu- the lady priest of Deulghata said:
“Arabinda da, Iloo is famous for Saraswati Puja. It’s a small village in Jhalda block of Puruliadisrict. The village is 3 miles away from the Jhalda township and located on the border of Jharkhand state.This village celebrates Swaraswati Puja in a gorgeous way never seen anywhere.” Further ,she murmered“ the girl memorizes her experience of Swarasati puja at Iloo. If possible ,come and see Swarasati puja there”.
This was my first acquaintance with Iloo and its relationship with Goddess Swaraswati. It was a long back memory. The memory surfaced once more when I reached Iloo-Jargo about two years back. That time I came straight way from Ajodhya Hills via Kalimati. It was a pleasant journey all through . The hills and hillocks, the crowns of the hills, lush green ofPalas,Sals gave a pristine look. My visit was by the courtesy of Dr Nirmal Mandal- the son of the soil. Nirmal’sfamily has a historical lineage to this small village. Back to the days of beginning British ,his ancestors came from Katwa and settled here. The big tank(BoroBandh) excavated by Shyam Mandal (1743) witnesses their long relationship with this village. However, I had been sharing with some of the households on different issues. I was surmised again to hear from them “ Please come during Saraswati festival”. I realized the deity is deep in Iloo’s heart.
On returning back I was talking to some of my friends of Baghmundi about Iloo. All they suggested me to visit Iloo some times during Saraswati puja. I experienced earlier the synonymous between Chandannagar&JagatDharti, between Shantipur&DolJatra and Chhatna&Basuli. Similarly Illu is interwoven with the Gioddess Saraswati. It has lost its identity and submerged with the deity of learning. Iloo &Saraswati are one. This real fact I heard from the surroundings of Pusti, Burda Kalimatim.Tulin,Mathari-Khamar&Suisa. I could not visit the place although longing for couple of years. In spite, I have always a mindset on Iloo as BasantPanchami nears. Accordingly, I made a call to Joydev da- my friend from Jagro on the day of Saraswati Puja this year.
“ Joydev Da.. what are you doing?”- I asked
“ relatives from Jharkhand have come. They will stay here for two days. All of them will enjoy Saraswati Puja”- replied Joydeb Da.
Goddess Saraswati unites family members, friends and relatives of Iloo during this time what Durga or Kali can’t. The puja is Iloo’s community festival. This Puja strengthens their family ties and represents an occasion for renewing family connectivity.
Thereafter, I telephoned Sajal Mandal- the nephew of my friend Nirmal. Sajal was busy in the pandel. With his friends he was chalking out programs to be held in the next days. I was elated to know that they are highlighting local culture during this period. Their decoration manifests the art works of Charida. Chow-mask of different designs are their attractions this time. They will also invite Jhumur singers in the staze. Their pandel theme is marked by Manbhum culture. Baul songs would be their prime events this time. Sajal lamented that the Great Salamat ,Jhumur singer is no more and they will miss him badly.
A small village having only 600 households have been holding twenty community Pandels this year. BhikuSmritiSangha-the oldest club have been celebrating Saraswati puja for more than sixty years. They have a budget of Rs.1.50 lakhs. The striking point is that they never received any sponsorship from outside. I was surprised much when heard that they never beg door to door or extract money from business-class or other sources. Members donate voluntarily from their own fund. I was further informed that many who are from this village and staying outside donate a handsome amount spontaneously. It is also great lesson to me. According to Sajal there are other clubs such as Kargil , Vivekananda Sporting Club , Bhabani Clubs that have budgets more than Rs.lakhs. These clubs also spent from own sources. I realize Iloo is ready to sacrifice in the name of Saraswati.
Next ,I had a chat with Basanta Mahato from Baghmundi. In his words” we have hired a trekker and visit Iloo in the evening. Decoration of pandels with illumination is a grandeur attraction of the village.”
The whole village is light up. Lights could be seen from the Jargo more. From the top of Buri hills-it’s a colourful and a majestic view.
Today I heard that more than 60 thousands people assembled in Iloo- village. It was over crowded and no vehicle could reach the village from Jagro-more.
All these remind me the innocent girl whom I met long before. She is absolutely right ‘ Saraswati hails from Iloo’.
Turmeric Paschimanchal 