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Bonedi Bari Puja — Kolkata‘s Heritage Durga Puja

Bonedi Barir Pujo are the centuries-old Durga Pujas held in the ancestral homes of Kolkata‘s aristocratic families — Sobhabazar Rajbari has hosted its puja since 1757, and the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family puja has run since 1610. Where the sarbojanin pandals build a new theme every year, the bonedi baris keep tradition: ekchala idols (all five deities on one pedestal) and daker saaj, the delicate ornamentation of shola pith and silver foil.

Bonedi pujas in the pandal database

Durga Puja Guide tracks 30 pujas tagged with the Bonedi Puja theme — family houses from Bagbazar to Behala, each with a verified name and area. Family pujas vary in how open they are to visitors, and timing details change yearly: check the individual pandal page, and treat anything not listed there as Information not yet verified.

North Kolkata — 13 bonedi pujas

Central Kolkata — 13 bonedi pujas

South & South-West Kolkata — 4 bonedi pujas

Heritage sabeki pujas beyond Kolkata

The heritage theme isn‘t only a Kolkata story — Salkia and Serampore on the Hooghly, Howrah Maidan and Chandannagar all keep traditional-styled pujas in the database:

Explore the heritage circuit

The bonedi circuit sits inside the Kolkata Durga Puja hub — the North Kolkata and Central Kolkata pages list them alongside the community pujas of the same streets. For the fuller story of how the puja moved from the rajbari to the street, see the Durga Puja history guide.

Bonedi Bari Puja — Frequently asked questions

What is a Bonedi Bari Puja?

Bonedi Barir Pujo are centuries-old Durga Pujas held in the ancestral homes of Kolkata's aristocratic families, such as Sobhabazar Rajbari (since 1757) and the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family puja (since 1610). They are known for traditional ekchala idols and daker saaj decoration.

Can visitors enter bonedi bari pujas?

Some bonedi houses open their pujas to visitors; others remain family events. Check the individual pandal page on Durga Puja Guide — access details are marked 'Information not yet verified' where we don't have confirmed information.

What is daker saaj?

Daker saaj is the traditional ornamentation of bonedi idols — shimmering decoration carried out in shola pith and silver foil, the classic style that gives the family pujas their distinctive antique look.

Where can I see bonedi pujas in 2026?

North and Central Kolkata hold the densest cluster — Shobhabazar, Jorasanko, Bagbazar, Machuabazar, Maniktala and Ahiritola — while Behala in South-West Kolkata hosts the Sabarna Roy Choudhury descendant puja and the famous Sonar Durga.

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