A Decade of Devotion: Ganapati Worship at Alipore Criminal Court
In the corridors of law where arguments rise, judgments are pronounced, and justice is sought, there also beats a heart of devotion. For the last ten years, Advocate Ashok Kumar Singh has brought to the Alipore Criminal Court, Kolkata, a tradition that blends the spirit of faith with the solemn pursuit of justice—the annual worship of Lord Ganapati during Ganesh Chaturthi.
What began a decade ago as a personal vow of faith has, with time, become a collective celebration for the legal fraternity. Every year, a simple clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed in Advocate Singh’s chamber. The fragrance of incense, the glow of lamps, the resonant chants of aarti, and the offering of modaks transform the space into a sanctum of serenity, drawing advocates, clerks, and well-wishers together in shared reverence.
The tradition has grown beyond one chamber—it has touched the entire court. Distinguished colleagues and fellow advocates have stood shoulder to shoulder in this worship: Sri Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, Alokasish Bandyopadhyay, Mukulda, Rabindranath Das, Santu Majumdar, Sanjoy Das, Deobrat Singh, Digbijoy Nag, Tanima Biswas, Kanchan, Biplab, Pritam Das, Pritilata Sardar, Madhusudan Sardar, Shewtalina Majumdar, Samir Saha, Mangal Santra, Kuntal, Manabda, Tirthankar Roy, and many others. Their presence has given the celebration a collective character—a reminder that in devotion, there are no hierarchies, only unity.
Lord Ganapati, the remover of obstacles, is remembered at the beginning of every undertaking. For the advocates who gather here, He is invoked not only as a deity of prosperity but as a guiding light—bestowing clarity of thought, patience in adversity, and wisdom in judgment. In His broken tusk lies the lesson of sacrifice; in His large ears, the message to listen deeply; in His calm eyes, the focus needed to pursue truth.
This annual worship has become more than a ritual. It is a symbol of harmony within the legal community, a moment of peace amidst the demanding cadence of trials and hearings. It reminds us that the practice of law, though rigorous, is not divorced from the values of humility, spirituality, and fellowship.
As the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi at Alipore Court enter their second decade, they stand as a shining testimony to the vision of Advocate Ashok Kumar Singh—a vision where justice and faith walk together, and where the wisdom of Lord Ganapati continues to inspire all who step into the court in search of truth.
“Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!”
May His blessings always guide the hands that argue for justice, the minds that reason with law, and the hearts that believe in truth.