Jagaddhatri Puja — Krishnanagar

Jagaddhatri Puja, also known as Jagadhatri Puja, is one of the most popular festivals in the Indian state of West Bengal, especially in the town of Krishnanagar. This annual event, which is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Jagaddhatri, attracts thousands of devotees and visitors from all over the country.

History and Origin

The origins of Jagaddhatri Puja can be traced back to the 18th century, when it was first celebrated by Maharaja Krishna Chandra, the king of Krishnanagar. The Jagaddhatri Puja of Krishnanagar Rajbari, initiated by Krishna Chandra in 1762, is the crowning glory of the annual festival. The Maharaja's absence from the Durga Puja that year left him heartbroken as he could not offer his prayers to Maa Durga. Returning by boat on Dasami, the day of idol immersion, the Maharaja saw the idols being immersed in the river and was overcome with grief. However, in a dream that night, he saw a teenage Goddess seated on a lion, resembling a white horse, assuring him that she would come to him on the Sukla Nabami tithi in the Bengali month of Kartick (October-November). Following her divine instructions, an idol of Goddess Jagaddhatri was sculpted and the puja was performed with great pomp and splendor.

The idol, resembling the Goddess in Maharaja's dream, depicts a teenage girl seated on a white lion facing forward, similar to the knight on a chessboard. The Goddess has four hands and is armed with a conch, a discus, a bow, and arrows.

Traditions and Rituals

Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in Krishnanagar, with various rules and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The most important of these customs is the construction of beautifully crafted idols of the Goddess Jagaddhatri.

The idols are made of clay, and are often several feet tall. They are intricately decorated with vibrant colors and intricate designs, and are accompanied by smaller idols of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The idols are worshiped with offerings of flowers, sweets, and other items, and are then immersed in water on the final day of the festival.

Another important aspect of Jagaddhatri Puja is the lighting of diyas, or small clay lamps, which are placed around the temple and the idols. The light from the diyas is said to symbolize the triumph of good over evil, and is believed to bring blessings and prosperity to the devotees.

Celebrations across the Paras of Krishnanagar

Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated across the Paras of Krishnanagar, with each Paras having its own unique customs and traditions. The most prominent of them all is Chasapara Barowari Puja where the deity is called Burima. This festival that has been celebrated for over 100 years, is known for its grandeur and splendor.

During the Puja, the locals also perform a unique ritual called "chokkhudaan" where they offer their eyes to the Goddess in the form of a symbolic gesture. This ritual is believed to signify the devotee's willingness to see the truth and the divine light.

The final day of Jagaddhatri Puja is known as Dwadashi or Bijoya Dashami. On this day, the idols of the Goddess are taken out in a grand procession once again, and are then immersed in the water of Jalangi river. This signifies the end of the Puja and the departure of the Goddess from the mortal world.

Epilogue

Jagaddhatri Puja is a celebration of culture, tradition, and faith, and is an important event in the lives of the people of Krishnanagar. As I sit here, reminiscing about the grand celebrations of Jagaddhatri Puja of Krishnanagar Rajbari, I am filled with nostalgia and devotion. May the blessings of Goddess Jagaddhatri be with us always, and may we continue to celebrate this beautiful festival with the same fervor and devotion for years to come.