Interview Times 
FEATURE: Durga Puja, one of Hinduism’s major festivals, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the states of Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, and even parts of Gujarat. This grand festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Lasting for ten days in the month of Ashvina (September-October), Durga Puja is a time of joy, devotion, and festivity for millions.
The festivities begin on Mahalaya, a day that signifies the arrival of Goddess Durga from her abode on Mount Kailash to her maternal home on Earth. Mahalaya also marks the end of Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to honouring ancestors, and the beginning of Devi Paksha, a time for the worship of the goddess. Puja formally starts on the sixth day, Sasthi, and continues until the tenth day, Vijayadashmi, when the idols of the goddess are immersed in water, signifying her return to her divine spouse, Lord Shiva.
For many, Durga Puja is a time of celebration, new clothes, sumptuous meals, and vibrant cultural events. However, for certain communities in eastern India, such as the Kherwal Santhals of Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, the festival is a solemn occasion marked by mourning and remembrance. In these tribal communities, the festival is known as “Dasai” and is observed in honour of their fallen leader, Hudur-Durga, whom others refer to as Mahishasura.
Asur Samrat Hudur Durga (Mahishasura)(Photo: Dalit Camera)
Hudur-Durga: The Martyred Leader of the Kherwals
For the Kherwal Santhals, Hudur-Durga is not a demon but a heroic king who was betrayed and killed. Their traditions recount that before the formation of the Santhal community, their ancestors, the Kherwals, lived in a prosperous kingdom called Chaichampa. The kingdom thrived under the rule of their brave king, Hudur-Durga, who successfully defended it against invading forces, possibly the Aryans. According to legend, the Kherwal king was tricked into marrying an Aryan woman, who later deceived him into taking his own life. After his death, the Kherwals were forced to flee, marking the beginning of their sorrow.
The Kherwal men disguised themselves as women to escape their enemies, a tactic that allowed them to survive, but it also transformed their once joyous celebration of Dasai into a time of mourning. Hudur-Durga, their revered leader, became a martyr, and the festival now serves as a memorial for his sacrifice. The songs they sing during this period are filled with grief, with the words “Hay-Hay” added to express their deep sorrow.
Photo Credit: Freepik
The Subaltern Perspective of Mahishasura
In the mainstream Hindu narrative, as written in the Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata, Mahishasura is portrayed as a demon king who terrorized the world and was eventually defeated by Goddess Durga. However, the Kherwal Santhals and other tribal communities like the Bagdi, Mundas, and other Dalit groups offer a different interpretation. They see Mahishasura, or Hudur-Durga, not as a demon but as a buffalo-tribal king who was granted a boon that no man could kill him. Durga, a goddess, was sent by the gods to deceive and kill him. For these communities, the story of Mahishasura’s defeat is a tale of betrayal, not divine justice.
The Kherwals, who do not worship Hudur-Durga as a deity throughout the year, remember him during the five days of Dasai as a human leader — a king who was wronged. They hold Hudur-Durga in high esteem, and the sight of him depicted beneath Goddess Durga’s feet during mainstream Durga Puja celebrations deeply offends them. To the Kherwals, this imagery perpetuates a stereotype that belittles their martyred leader.
A Festival of Mourning and Resistance
For the Kherwal Santhals, Durga Puja is not about victory and celebration. Instead, it is a somber time to remember the loss of their commander and chief, Hudur-Durga. While others celebrate the goddess’s triumph, the Kherwals mourn the martyrdom of their leader, expressing their pain and respect through their own unique traditions.
This duality of Durga Puja — as both a celebration of divine victory and a commemoration of loss — reflects the diverse cultural interpretations of myth and history across India. It highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the different ways in which communities connect with their heritage and traditions, even when these perspectives challenge the dominant narrative.
In this way, the Kherwal Santhals’ observance of Dasai stands as a poignant reminder of the complexity of history, identity, and belief within India’s rich cultural landscape.
