Long before the drums of Durga Puja begin to roll, the erstwhile royal family of Baikunthapur observes a quieter, older ritual at their ancestral Rajbari — the worship of Devi Manasa, goddess of serpents and protection. Started over five hundred years ago by the Raikat rulers, this puja traditionally marks the ceremonial start of the region's Durga Puja preparations.
What sets this celebration apart is its unique offering: an elaborate spread of river fish — chital, boal, hilsa and prawns — presented to the goddess, followed by traditional Bishahari folk songs. A five-day fair springs up around the palace grounds, pulling in visitors from across North Bengal, Assam and beyond, eager to witness a tradition older than the modern district itself.
One of the most distinctive features of the festival is the offering of an elaborate variety of river fish, including hilsa, chital, boal, prawns and other local varieties, a practice rarely seen in other Manasa temples. Traditional Bishahari songs, narrating legends of Goddess Manasa and Behula-Lakhindar, are performed throughout the celebrations, keeping alive centuries-old oral traditions. A vibrant five-day fair fills the Rajbari grounds with local handicrafts, traditional food, cultural performances and devotional gatherings, attracting visitors from across North Bengal, Assam and neighbouring regions.
