International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

author(s)
Rajeswar Roy, Manadev Roy

abstract
The Rajbansis are the major ethnic group of North Bengal. They worship natural power such as the goddess of rivers, goddess of forests etc. They also worship ghost e.g. ‘bhuts’, ‘pettānies’ for their propitiation. The Rajbansi community effected and influenced by Brāhmanical traditions. As a result, they also follow and worship the Brāhmanical gods and goddesses such as Śivā, Nārāyana, Vishnu, Durgā, Kāli, Laxmi, Sarasvati, Manasā etc. Kirtana is the important practices of their religious life. In spite of that, they have some separate gods and goddesses as well as practices like Hudum deo, Bisohori, Gārām, Mecheni Khelā, Bās Khelā, Dharma Thākur, Māsān, Gorakhnāth, Sannyāsi, Tistā Buri, Bhāndāni and Dāngdhori Māo etc. The Rajbansis display their devotion to these gods and goddesses for saving them from various evils. Now a days, they like more to follow the Bengali culture and western cultures.