Shobhabajar er Rajbari-r Durga Puja

Sobha Bazar Rajbari belonged to Raja Nabakrishna Deb who was a famous exponent of Hinduism during the Brahmo Samaj Movement by Raja Rammohon Roy. It was in the year 1757 after the Battle of Plassy, Durga Puja was initiated in the household.

One of the famous traditional Durga Puja's in Calcutta, the Rajbari Durga idol is a beautiful Goddess framed in 'Ek Chala'. Decorated with silver foils imported from Germany during the affluent times, the family still retains its décor.

• Among its rituals the Rajbari performs the traditional 'Belbaran' (Amantran Adhibash) on Sasthi, welcoming the Goddess to descend on the earth and relieve the people from their miseries.
  Known for their kingly ardor, the Rajbari fired canons, now replaced with guns on Nabami at sandhikhan when the Goddess in her Chamunda form beheads Mahisasur.
• 'Kanakanjali' was a ritual performed when married women were given cold coins dating to Akbar's reign.
• Immersion of the Goddess is another grand affair when family members enthusiastically participate. Women in traditional red bordered white saris and men in white dhotis carrying golden umbrellas is a spectacle not to be missed. 60 men carry the Goddess on their shoulders and are accompanied with a musical band. Previously the band was hired from Scotch Highlander (Gorar Baddi). 'Nilkantha' ritual is performed. Two birds are released after the immersion that carry the message to Kailash about the safe departure of the Goddess. The second bird sets off later with the same message incase the first fails to deliver.