Jagadhatri Puja: Celebrating the Goddess Who Restores Harmony and Destroys Evil

Jagaddhatri, one of Durga's martial forms, is known for destroying the elephant demon Karindrasura. She is extremely beloved in West Bengal, where a special puja (Hindu devotion) in her honour is held every autumn. In souvenir paintings done at the famed Kalighat temple near Kolkata (Calcutta), she is frequently depicted astride her lion carriage (vahana), which is mounted on an elephant. Unlike other incarnations of Durga, Jagaddhatri has four arms rather than 10. She has an arrow, a discus, a conch shell, and a bow.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Jagadhatri Puja
2. The Origins of Goddess Jagadhatri
3. The Significance of Jagadhatri in Hinduism
4. Jagadhatri Puja Celebrations in Krishna Nagar and Chandannagar
5. The Rituals and Traditions of Jagadhatri Puja
6. The Iconography and Symbolism of Goddess Jagadhatri
7. The Role of Jagadhatri Puja in Bengali Culture

Introduction to Jagadhatri Puja

The fall season in Bengal and worldwide brings many celebrations and opportunities for delight, since it is filled with one holiday after another. Jagadhatri Puja is one of the most prominent festivals in the Kartik month, following Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, and Kali Puja. Devotees worship and celebrate the reincarnation of Goddess Durga under the name Jagadhatri, creating a wonderful milieu with strong festive spirits. 

The Origins of Goddess Jagadhatri

According to one old story of the origins of "Jagadhartri Devi" sayings, after fighting the demon Mahisasura, Devi Durga was neglected by all gods, who celebrated the victory by placing all credits in their name since Devi Durga was formed by integrating the strength of all gods. Angered by an insult. Devi Durga quietly tosses a grass leaf to them. Indra (god of thunder), Vayu (god of air), and Agni (god of fire) and Varun (the god of rain) all attempted to destroy the grass leaf, but were unsuccessful, and Devi Durga ultimately appeared in front of the Gods in her new form. All Gods agreed that this radiant, lovely Devi with four hands was none other than Goddess Jagadhatri, the Lord of the Earth. According to another viewpoint, throughout the conflict, the devil Mahisasura took on several forms in order to mislead and deceive Devi Durga. When the devil took the appearance of an elephant, Devi arrived with four hands and a lion. That look is referred to as Jagadhatri. Goddess Jagadhatri slew the wicked elephant with her lethal weapon, the Chakra. In place of Mahisasura, the elephant represents the devil. In Sanskrit, elephants are known as 'Kari'. The fiend killed by Jagadhatri is referred to as 'Karindrasura'. 

The Significance of Jagadhatri in Hindusm

Jagaddhatri is another name for Durga. In Sanskrit, Bengali, and Assamese, 'Jagaddhatri' literally means 'Holder (dhatri) of the World (Jagat)'. The religion of Goddess Jagadhatri is directly inherited from Tantra, where she is a symbol of sattva besides being Durga and Kali, representing Rajas and Tamas—all three main components of Hinduism.

Jagadhatri Puja celebrations in Krishna Nagar and Chandannagar

The two cities in West Bengal known for worshipping this goddess, Krishnanagar (Nadia District) and Chandannagar (Former French colony, Hooghly District, a small town 30 km north of Kolkata), are particularly unique in terms of magnificence and popularity. Though Chandannagar is now much more opulent during this Puja, Krishnanagar has a specific historical significance in the beginning of Jagadhatri Puja. According to scriptures, Krishnachandra Ray, the Raja of Krishnanagar in the Nadia District, was the first to promote public worship of the goddess Jagaddhatri.
Raja Krishnachandra was once seized by Siraj, the then-ruling monarch, for failing to pay taxes. When he was released from prison, he was returning by boat from Murshidabad to Nadia (this was during the autumn Durga Puja), when he heard the sound of drums on the boat, indicating that it was the tenth or last day of the puja, and he, a devout Durga follower, was saddened that he would miss the festivities. Later that evening, he had a vision of the goddess Durga as a child, who advised him to worship her in one month, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik, and that this would result in the same benefits from her.
Later, when recounting the story with the family priest, he was informed that this was really the goddess Jadadhatri. Krishnachandra commissioned an artist to make a statue of the goddess Jagaddhatri, which he worshipped with great magnificence at the appropriate time. 

The rituals and traditions of Jagadhatri Puja

According to scriptures, worship of Jagaddhatri began around the middle of the eighteenth century. However, as the puja is not mentioned in current literature, it is possible that greater public devotion began later. The tradition of worshipping Jagadhatri is still practised in Krishnanagar Rajbari, with the same reverence. Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna's wife who was thought to be a reincarnation of the Goddess, subsequently inaugurated the event, which is now honoured with great spirits in the Ramakrishna Mission centres worldwide. The puja was popularised as 'Shakti Puja' to conquer sins in our brains, because devils abound in society. The Puja is commonly known as the rebirth of Goddess Durga, the rescuer who destroys evil and restores harmony on Earth. 

Iconography and Symbolism of Goddess Jagadhatri

Unlike Devi Durga, there is no Laxmi, Saraswati, Kartik, or Ganesh present when worshipping Jagadhatri Devi. Only Jaya and Vijaya are present. The idol is similar to that of Goddess Durga, as Goddess Jagadhatri is depicted in Tantra and Purana as having the colour of the morning sun, three eyes, and four arms, holding a conch and a bow in her two left hands, a chakra and a five-headed arrow in her two right hands, and riding a lion. The conch symbolises brilliance and purity, the chakra removes evil spirits, the arrow/shaft represents wisdom, and the bow denotes mental concentration. The Goddess therefore provides the spirit of wisdom and marks a fortunate time in the Hindu calendar. Unlike Devi Durga, she is entwined by a snake around her neck, symbolising the fight against all odds in life. The goddess' statue is wonderfully decorated with crimson robes and accessories. The deity is also given a wreath around her neck. The Celebration: The Jagadhatri Puja celebration is celebrated in grand style on the ninth day of the lunar fortnight in the month of Kartik or November, with the exact date determined by the Bengali calendar. 

The Role of Jagadhatri Puja in Bengali Culture

This year's celebrations are set for November 5. On this day, passages from the ancient scripture Chandi are recited, and the goddess' figure is submerged, similar to Durga Puja. Devotees congregate to adore the Goddess, offering puja to Jagadhatri Devi using the same rites as Durga puja, with the exception of 'Badhan'. Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami pujas are traditionally offered on Navami Tithi, and the festival is celebrated with great devotion. It is also commemorated in a variety of locations in Delhi, including New Delhi Kali Bari, the city's nerve hub for Bengali arts and culture. Jagadhatri Puja signals the end of the Hindu festivals for the calendar year. Devotees once again begin counting the days till the next festive season.