Bengal’s festivals are more than dates on a calendar—they are a rhythm of life, connecting us to nature, community, and ancient traditions. Among them, Itu Puja, or Itu Brata, has always held a special place in my heart.

Observed in the Bengali month of Agrahayan (November–December), Itu Puja is dedicated to Mitra, the ancient Vedic Sun God, blending Vedic heritage with agrarian customs in a uniquely Bengali way. Even though I grew up in Delhi, far from Bengal’s villages, the festival came alive every year in our home through my mother’s devotion.

The Roots of Itu Puja

Itu Puja traces its roots to the worship of Mitra, one of the oldest deities of the Rigveda. Known as the guardian of friendship, harmony, and the life-giving rays of the Sun, Mitra was paired with Varuna in Vedic cosmology to maintain cosmic order (Rta). Over time, the formal worship of Mitra transitioned into folk practices, merging seamlessly with the rhythms of rural life.

In Bengal, Mitra’s association with sunlight and agriculture evolved into Itu Puja. The festival became a heartfelt expression of gratitude to nature, prayers for fertile lands, bountiful harvests, and household prosperity.

Celebrating Itu Puja

The festival spans a month, beginning with the first day of Agrahayan and culminating in a grand community ritual. Traditionally, women lead the observances, undertaking fasting and performing symbolic rituals to ensure well-being and harmony.

কাঠি-কুটি কুড়াতে গেলাম।
ইতুর কথা শুনে এলাম ।
এ কথা শুনলে কী হয়।
নির্ধনের ধন হয়।
অপুত্রের পুত্র হয়।
অশরণের শরণ হয়।

A Childhood Memory

I still remember the first day of Agrahayan, when the winter sun would cast long shadows across our courtyard. My mother would wake up before dawn, carefully setting up the Itu Ghat, a small earthen pot filled with water, grains, and flowers. The smell of incense mingled with the faint chill of the Delhi morning, as earthen lamps were lit one by one. Their warm glow reflected in her eyes, full of devotion and hope.

She would fast for the day, abstaining from certain foods, her hands and voice raised in prayers to Mitra, the Sun God. I, a curious child, would sit nearby, listening to her sing Brotokotha, feeling the rhythm of her chants echo through our home. It was a quiet yet profound celebration—a prayer for prosperity, harmony, and the well-being of our family.

Why It Remains Special

Even today, Itu Puja carries layers of meaning. It is a celebration of nature, gratitude, and community, reminding us of our dependence on the land and the sun. In rural Bengal, women continue the tradition with unwavering devotion, blessing seeds, praying for fertile fields, and singing songs passed down through generations.

For me, however, Itu Puja will always be intertwined with the memory of my mother—the gentle discipline of her fasting, the soft glow of lamps in our Delhi home, and the warmth of devotion she wove into every ritual. Through her, I learned that festivals are not just ceremonies—they are threads that connect the past to the present, family to community, and humanity to nature.

Mitra Across Time and Cultures

Mitra, meaning “friend,” signifies trust, collaboration, and loyalty—values central to the festival. Beyond India, Mitra appears in ancient Iranian and Roman traditions as Mithra, where sunlight and cosmic order were celebrated, echoing the essence of Itu Puja. In Bengal, Mitra endures as a folk deity, bridging ancient Vedic cosmology with everyday rural life.

Itu Puja Today

Even in contemporary Bengal, Itu Puja thrives as a community-centered festival, with women preserving and passing down rituals. It reminds us of the intimate bond between humanity and nature, urging gratitude for life’s blessings. While modernity has simplified some practices, the festival’s spirit continues to illuminate the resilience, harmony, and prosperity of rural Bengal.

A Timeless Lesson

In a world moving ever faster, Itu Puja is a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and give thanks. By honoring Mitra and embracing the lessons of this ancient festival, we celebrate life, light, and the enduring bond between humanity and nature.

Even miles away from Bengal’s fields, the festival lives on in memory and practice—illuminating our homes, our hearts, and our understanding of what it truly means to be grateful.