Jagannath Roy came to Mallarpur near Tarapith from Benaras for commerce by riverways about 200 years ago. Later, he became the Diwan of Malla Raja of Bishnupur. He bought some Taluks around Mallarpur and became famous as zaminder. About 200 years ago, he constructed the temple of Ma Tara at Tarapith as Bamakhyapa's wish for the third time. It is the present form of temple as we can see now. At that time, Jagannath also founded the holy temple of Devi Durga as 'Abhaya Kumari' at Mallarpur getting 'swapna adesh'. Devi Durga has two hands here just like devi Annapurna of Kashi. Devi Durga is worshipped here daily. Earlier clay idol was there but now a marble image of Devi Durga has been also made here. A marble idol of Lord Shiva is also there in the temple. The Roy family still send 'Nitya Seva' to Ma Tara daily at Tarapith. All the members of family come during Durga Puja and enjoy the festival in their family. Puja begins here from 'Chaturthi'. Earlier goat and buffalos were sacrificed here, but now this custom of sacrifice is totally stopped. They offer only fruits and sweets to the goddess in lieu of 'anno bhog'. Earlier, the boat was used to circulate the idol whole village before immersion, but now, this custom is abolished.
Century Old Durga Puja Of Mallarpur, Birbhum
Durga Puja of Biswas family of Mallarpur too is very old - more than 200 years. This puja is very famous among the inhabitants of adjascent several villages. Devi Durga is on 'Panchamundi' asana here within 'ek chala' accompanied by Jaya & Bijoya. Sacrifice of Pumpkin on 'Pratipad tithi', black goat on 'Saptami', white goat on 'Ashtami' and three goats on 'Nabami' are in vogue here. Many years ago, 'Nabapatrika' puja was started instead of 'murti' puja on Panchamundi asana. A story is there behind it. Once, at the time of sacrifice, a baby girl was missing from the puja mandap. At last, she was found from the back of Durga murti with bindings of her hands and legs with the 'anchal' of Durga murti. Since then, the family stopped the murti puja by getting "swapnadesh" and started Nabapatrika puja. But, the craze for Biswas family's Durga puja never dimmed. On the day of 'Dashami' they immerse the Nabapatrika by boarding on a Dola.
