Maa Gandheswari- An incarnation of Maa Durga

Gandheswari is a deity worshipped by the Gandhabanik. She is a manifestation of the Goddess Durga. The Gandhabaniks admire her on Baishaki Purnima. She is claimed to have saved Gandhabati from Gandhasura. She has four arms and is shown seated atop a lion. The Gandhabanik community worships her for helping them grow their businesses.

Table of Contents

1. The Beginnings of Gandheswari Puja
2. Gandheswari worship - A fragrant heritage
3. Historical Background of the Gandhabanik Community
4. Historical Growth of the Gandhabanik Community
5. Gandheswari: The Supreme Embodiment
6. Ritual and Offerings on Gandheswari Puja
7. Gandheswari's Significance in Art and Alongside
8. A delightful festival for all of us

The Beginnings of Gandheswari Puja

The name "Gandheswari" is a combination of two Bengali (and Sanskrit) words: "gandha," which means smell or aroma, and "iswari," which translates as goddess. Thus, Gandheswari represents the concept of the Goddess of Fragrance, and the festival is dedicated to worshipping this celestial presence. The Gandhavanik community, which derives its name from "gandha" (scent or perfume) and "vanik" (merchant or trader), is the primary stewards of this festivity. They are known for trading scented products such as cosmetics, perfumes, spices, incense, camphor, and sandalwood. The relationship between fragrance and trade serves as the festival's cornerstone.

Gandheswari worship- A Fragrant Heritage 

Gandheswari Puja is an annual celebration that falls on the full moon day of Baisakh or Jyaistha, according to the Bengali calendar. While the date changes each year, the spirit of the celebration stays consistent. This day is special to Bengali Hindus, but it also has significance for Buddhists because it coincides with Buddha Purnima, their most important religious feast. The simultaneous celebration of two distinct religions lends a distinctive element to Bengal's cultural fabric.

Historical Background of the Gandhabanik Community 

The Gandhabanik community traces its origins to legendary merchants such as Dhanapati Saudagar, Srimanta Saudagar, and Chand Saudagar. These rich tradesmen travelled the world, frequently sailing on Mayurpankhi, peacock-shaped boats. Despite the risky nature of their trading routes, they trusted Goddess Gandheswari to protect them from storms, rain, floods, robbers, and wild animals. Their faith in the goddess' protecting power formed the groundwork for the devotion of Gandheswari.

Historical Growth of the Gandhabanik Community

In current times, the Gandhabanik community has evolved into modern business people, expanding their trade into a variety of commodities such as medicine and chemicals. Their trust in Gandheswari endures, with an annual ritual in which they arrange their business things, ledgers, calculators, and even computers (if any) in front of the goddess, hoping for prosperity in their trade.

Gandheswari: The Supreme Embodiment

Gandheswari is seen as an embodiment of maternal strength and an essential aspect of Goddess Durga. Her appearance is evocative of Jagaddhatri, another famous goddess in Bengal. She is frequently seen with four arms, holding a conch, a chakra (a sharp wheel), a bow, and an arrow. The goddess is seated atop a lion, which is perched on the demon Gandhasur, and she is seen vanquishing him with her trident. Traditional paintings frequently show a young woman seated near the deity's feet, known as Gandhavati (a fragrant woman), who worshipped the goddess to protect her from Gandhasur.
According to scriptures, the forms may differ, but they are all manifestations of the same superpower. This concept is consistent with the idea that many goddesses, whether worshipped or forgotten, such as Manasa, Chandi, Sasthi, Shitala, Bon Durga, and Pragya Parmita, descended from a single primordial power. Gandheswari is no exception, embodying a distinct aspect of this heavenly energy. 

Ritual and Offerings on Gandheswari Puja

Gandheswari Puja includes a range of offerings and ceremonies. An idol of the goddess, sindur (vermilion), panchagavya (five products from a cow, such as milk, butter, ghee, yoghourt, etc.), pancha sasya (five types of crops), pancharatna (five types of gems), panchapalli (five types of leaves), ghat (a small round-shaped earthen pot), darpan (mirror), green coconut with its stem, atap (sunned) rice, dhoti of Lord Shiva, Narayana, and Asura, sweetmeats, bilwapatramalya (a garland of wood apple leaves), sesame, haritaki (yellow myrobalan), pancha pushpa (five sorts of flowers), a conch, a piece of iron, naivedya (a sacred tribute to God), sandalwood, betel leaf, and nut, among others.

Gandheswari's Significance in Art and Alongside 

Gandheswari's influence reaches beyond the borders of Bengal. In Bangladesh, a statue of Gandheswari, along with other Hindu deities, graces the Buddhist monastery of Paharpur. While not as old as the monastery, this statue represents Gandheswari's continuing legacy. Gandheswari temples can be located in Bansberia and Chorbagan, with the latter erected in 1343 BS in North Kolkata. The jurisdiction of the Gandheswari temple in Chorbagan extends beyond annual devotion and prasad distribution.
They are actively involved in philanthropic and cultural activities, having run charitable dispensaries for over a century, providing hostel facilities for underprivileged students from remote villages, assisting distressed women, educating needy children, and publishing "Gandhabanik Patrika" magazine for 75 years. 

A Delightful Festival for all of us

While a specific community of Bengali Hindus worships Goddess Gandheswari, the festival's beauty and scent transcend boundaries. Others, regardless of caste or creed, participate in the festivities with dignity, emotion, pleasure, and dedication. The celebration of Gandheswari Puja acts as a unifying force, filling the air with the scent of devotion and the essence of tradition, strengthening Bengal's cultural diversity.