Kalibabur Bari, Janai Hoogly

Origin of the Mukherjee Family Of Janai:
According to the information available in the "Malebandhan" Pustika, Maharaja Adisur From Kanauj brought with him five most renowned Brahmins among which the most famous was Gangananda who was a disciple of Shri Harsha and it is during this period that Debibar Ghatak created "Malebandhan" and added Upadhyay as the surname, which later modified into Mukhopadhyay (supreme of all the upadhyay's) or Mukherjee(in the later British era).As such Gangananda Bhattacharya Upadhayay was the 1st man in the famous family of Janai.
The two reasons for the popularity of Janai village includes : 1. A sweet named "Monohara" that is famous in all over Bengal, and 2. The story of assessts, grandeur and kindness of the Royal Family of Janai.

"Monohara"

Founding Father of Janai Palace:Late Maharaja Kaliprasad Mukhopadhyay ,a Dewan of The East India Company Limited in 1234 build the Janai Palace near the bank of Saraswati River, on a cremation ground along with a gigantic "Thakur Dalaan" with seven arches and representing Indo-Catholic architecture, aimed for Durga Puja offerings and henceforth started the most magnificent Durga Puja of the village. On one side of the palace there still exists two temples dedicated in the name of Lord Shiva. Maharaja Kaliprasad Mukhopadhyay earned his reputation in the society by propagating and participating in nation-wide religious activities.Kaliprasad was married to Smt. Pitambari Devi of Hoogly and had three sons- Durga Charan, Abhaya Charan, Gouri Charan.

Durga Charan Mukhopadhyay: Late Shri Durga Charan Mukhopadhyay died at a very early age leaving behind his beautiful wife Tripura Sundari Devi and two sons Purna Chandra and Atul Chandra( Advocate by profession and also patronized "Bengal Drama Society" and founded "Social Improvement Society" in 1868 where several respected European and Bengali socialites joined for the upliftment of Bengali art and culture).

Purna Chandra Mukhopadhyay: The Elder son of Durga Charan Mukhopadhyay joined as an advocate General under Peter Paul. Later he established the "Mukherjee & Dev" solicitor firm with Raja Shailendra Kishore Dev of Sova Bazar. Innovation of scientific method of blue cultivation by introduction of steam plough was first done by this man who was a first class free mason. Later he was appointed as the Honorary magistrate of Calcutta and Sealdah Police Court and as the first Indian Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India. He was the first person in Bengal to initiate the Bengali Cultural theaters when theaters in eastern region of the country was not much in vogue. Patronizing Bengali Cultural theaters in 1857, he established a Drama Workshop in his own residence at Janai and dramatised "Shakuntala" and Dina Bandhu Mitra's "Nabin Tapaswini" was the first time ever in the History of Bengal. Considering his interest in Spiritualism he formed the "United Association of Spiritualist" along with Pyari Chand Mitra, Dwijendra Nath Tagore and several British Patrons.

Late Raja Purna Chandra Mukhopadhyay

Bhutnath Mukherjee: When the elder son of Purna Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Haripada Mukhopadhayay, who was an expert in homeopathy, left at the age of 54 (being invalid from the age of 16) the entire family responsibilities was entrusted upon Bhutnath Mukherjee, who was a specilist in agriculture and forestry. He established a garden House called "Hawa Khana" for conducting research for improved productivity of agricultural crops and farming. He was the mentor of Zamindar Sabha aimed for the improvement of his territory and well being of his Prajas.

Late Raja Bhutnath Mukherjee

 His only son , Late Sambhunath Mukherjee, was a poet and singer who was married to Late Smt. Gayatri Devi, from the Royal family of Hemnagar, Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh).

Late Shri Sambhunath Mukherjee

Kalibabur Bari's Durga Puja at Janai is one of the oldest pujas in West Bengal. The specialty of the puja can be mentioned as Aparajita puja and Beranjali on the day of Dashami.
This puja of a renowned aristocratic zamindar family formerly started at the reign of East India Company. The former zamindar Ishwar Kaliprasad Mukhopadhyay who initiated the puja was the Diwan of East India Company. From that time till today the puja is continuing its grandeur and pomp.

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