Neel Pujo celebrates Neel Chandika or Neelabati's marriage with Neel. The marriage of Shiva and Parbati. Shiva's other name is Neelkanth or Neel. Many people believe that a traditional ceremony was held on the occasion of the marriage of Shiva with Neelachandika or Neelabati Parameshwari. It is said that after the self-immolation of Sati in the yajna, she reappeared in the Bilva forest. The king of Bilva, then married her to Shiva again, treating her like his own daughter. She then took the form of a funeral pyre in the house and left for the afterlife. Seeing this, the king and queen died of grief. That's why many people believe that the commemoration of Shiva and Neelabati's marriage is called Neel Pujo.
Many confuse this with Sivaratri which is the actual day of wedding of Shiva and Parvati.
Neel Pujo is Bengal’s own festival. Mothers observe Nil Shasthi vow on this day for the welfare of their children. and term this Puja as Neel Shasthi, which is misleading. In fact, it is the 4th day (Chaturthi tithi) and not Shasthi or 6th day of this fortnight from New Moon (Amabasya) to Full Moon.
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Image : Neelabati's marriage with Neel . Neelabati Placing a Wedding Garland on Neel. Kalighat painting, 19th century. Black ink, color and silver paint, and graphite underdrawings on paper. From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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Calcutta was the capital of British India from 1833-1912. By the 1830s, artists had arrived in Calcutta from rural villages in Bengal and began to produce paintings that reflected the local history, mythology, customs and conflicts of a colonised society. As a popular art form, these artists are recognised for their use of brilliant colour, simplified images and swift brushstrokes that became the hallmark of Kalighat painting in the 19th and early 20th century.
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This post is inspired by my friend Ashish .