Surath

Suratha (Bengali: রাজা সুরথ) was an emperor of ancient Vanga. He was also a proverbial person of Hindu lore. His capital was in Bolipura, now Bolpur. He was extremely democratic emperor of Bengal. He was a devotee of Devi Durga. According to the Markandeya Purana he preached the Devi Mahatmya (Sri Sri Chandi) in Marthya (earth) among the dweller of Marthya and also he was the first organizer of durga puja in Bolpur, Bengal (currently West Bengal) and later this durga puja festival become popular in others part of India from Bengal.[1][2][3]

Surath
Suratha Raja (Lord of Bengal)
King of Bolpur
DynastyChaitravanshi Suryavanshi Dynasty
ReligionSanatana Dharma (Shakta)

Background

Source of information

Much of the available information about Surath comes from Debi Mahatya of Markandeya Purana.

  • Capital of Sheath's kingdom:

The 12th and 15th lines of the Devi Mahatmya calls "tat swapuramayato nijadeshadhipohbhabat" (তত: স্বপুরমায়াতো নিজেদেশাধিপোহভবৎ) The word "Swapura" probably refers to "Supur". Surath was a king of "Swapur"(স্বপুর) in present-day "Supur",Bolpur of West Bengal.This place is mentioned in Markandeya Purana

তত: স্বপুরমায়াতো নিজেদেশাধিপোহভবৎ। আক্রান্ত: স মহাভাগস্তৈস্তদা প্রবলারিভি:॥৭ অমাতৈ:বলিভি:দুষ্টে:দুর্বলস্য দুরাত্মভি:। কোষ বলঞ্চাপহৃতং তাত্রাপি স্বপুরে তত:॥৮

History of first Durga Puja of world

King Surath lost his kingdom and all his property. Losing everything he left his capital Bolipur (currently bolpur) to re-explore his fate. Later, he met with Vaishya Samadhi, who was a businessman. Coincidentally he was also bankrupt as he was cheated with his family. Then, fortunately they met SuMedhas Muni. SuMedhas advised them to bring back their fate they must worship the Goddess Devi Durga.

King Surath and Boishyo Samadhi worshipped Devi Durga as Durga Puja or Durgotsob (Bengali: : দুর্গোৎসব) at ashram of Medhas Muni in Garh Jungle,West Bengal. It was the first durgapuja of world. In current days, the ghar jungle is in Durgapur, Purba Bardhaman, West bengal. They worshipped Devi durga in spring time. So, this festival is called Basanti puja (Bengali: বাসন্তী পূজা) or "Basanto kalin durgotsob" (Bengali: বসন্তকালীন দুর্গোৎসব). According to Sri Sri Chandi they made this durga image by clay in Garh jungle. After puja Surath returnback all his lost property and he came back to his capital bolipur(now bolpur). Surath enrooted durgapuja in his capital bolpur in spring. During this puja, he sacrifice(sacrifice in Bengali is "boli") lakhs of animal. From this bengali term "boli"(animal sacrifice), this place called as "Bolipur"(currently Bolpur).[4][5]

In the day of Mahalaya, there is a cultural drama performance in DD Bangla (a Bengali entertaining television channel sponsored by India govt.) where king surath regarded as first worship of Goddess Debi mahisasuramardini.[6]

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References
  1. মুখোপাধ্যায়, অরুণ. "দুই সাহেবই গড়েছিলেন নীলকুঠি - Anandabazar". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  2. here!, Author Name. "বাঙ্গালীর দুর্গোৎসবের ইতিহাস". সনাতন ভাবনা ও সংস্কৃতি. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  3. "জয়ং দেহি!". magazine.kolkata24x7.com. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  4. "Garh Jungle, Durgapur| Garh Jungle Photos and Timings". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  5. "Medhashmunir Ashram - A Sacred Haven". The Daily Star. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  6. Sanskritam (2016-08-11), Mahalaya Video (মহালয়া ভিডিও) - Mahisasuramardini, retrieved 2017-12-20



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