Chandannagar Gears Up for Jagadhatri Puja Preparations!

Chandannagar-Ian’s gear up for the commencement of the preparation for Jagadhatri Puja –

As Bijoy Dashami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja, it is on the same day that the preparation for the internationally acclaimed Jagadhatri Puja commences – predominantly with the worship of the “Wooden Frame Structure – Kathamo”, which is kept in the premises for the worship. The Wooden Frame (Kathamo) is primarily kept since the previous year’s immersion.

According to the Puranas, Jagadhatri is the incarnation of Siddhidhatri. She is also believed to be the combined form of Sri Bhuvaneshwari and Durga. According to popular belief, Goddess Jagadhatri slayed Karindrasura – the great elephant-shaped Asura. For this reason, Goddess Jagadhatri is known as “Karindrasurnisudini”. The Chandi mentions that Mahishasura attacked the goddess in the form of a giant elephant and the goddess severed his head, then he incarnated as a man and engaged in battle, pierced by an arrow by the goddess Mahalakshmi. A bow and arrow as a weapon are present in the worship of the goddess.

As per the myth of the Puranas, once the Devasura Devtas defeated the Asuras, however their victory was not due to their own strength, but because of the divinity of Brahma. The victory had transformed them to be arrogant. It is when Goddess Lakshmi appeared before them in the guise of a virgin girl. She placed a piece of grass meant for burning in front of the gods. Agni and Vayu exerted all their power but could not burn that piece of grass. Then Indra became eager to know the identity of the girl, but did not come to the girl on his own, due to arrogance, but inquisitively. So Brahmarupi Devi Mahalakshmi appeared before him in the form of divine wife. That goddess is known as Jagadhatri in Puranas. Jagadhatri means the one who holds the world. As this ultimate realisation dawned upon them, their ego became an elephant. Mother Adi Shakti appeared in front of them in the form of Jagadhatri. Goddess Jagadhatri Brahmamayee; She is Parama Yogini. It is through Mahayoga that Brahmamayee holds this entire universe. This Jagadharana is the ultimate penance of the Jagadhatri.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa has quoted, “Jagadhatri arises in the heart of a person who can control the frantic elephant called mind”. It is believed that anybody who worships Maa Jagadhatri with devotion becomes devoid of his sense of ego. He then becomes a servant of Brahman that manifests itself in the entire Brahmanda or the Creation.

In Chapter 5, Verse 13 of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna says,

“sarva-karmāṇi manasā sannyasyāste sukhaṁ vaśhī
nava-dvāre pure dehī naiva kurvan na kārayan” meaning,

“The embodied beings who are self-controlled and detached reside happily in the city of nine gates, free from thinking they are the doers or the cause of anything”.

The writer with adept adulations would express his gratitude, to the organisers & volunteers of Barasat Chutarpara Jagadhatri Puja Committee – who are celebrating their 57^th. Year of worshipping this year in 2024 under the aegis of Arobindo Sangha, for inviting him to publish the illustrations of their preparations along with their efficacies. As delved earlier the preparation of the festival commence with the worship of the Wooden Frame to the ornamental adoration of the idol over a period of nearly 20 days.

This year the revered worship begins from Sasthi on 07^th. November, 2024 followed by Saptami on 08^th. November, Ashtami on 09^th. November, Navami on 10^th. November, and finally the Dasami on 11^th. November, 2024. The organisers are poised to participate in the gorgeous procession ceremony to be held on 11^th. November evening, for which they have already obtained requisite permission from the Chandernagore Central Jagadhatri Puja Committee, the Nodal Agency.

KATHAMO PUJA – as informed by Surajit Pal, Organising Coordinator – the height of the Kathamo is 12 feet, embraced with a bamboo pole to facilitate the sculpting of an 18 feet idol till the edge of the scalp of the idol. The 12 feet Kathamo is going to be covered with straws and clays yielding the form of the Buffalo, and Lion the carrier of Mother Jagadhatri.

The writer feels blessed to be acquainted with the myths and practices, associated with the Kathamo Puja rituals, by the principal priest his goodself Shri Baidyanath Bandopadhyay. According to Shri Bandopadhyay the Omnipotent Kathamo Pujan is done to eliminate the evils if any to avoid the apprehensions of un-to-what eventualities.

As reiterated the Kathamo is been cleaned, painted before the worship. It is then embraced with bamboo, and straws tied on the top, and decorated with flower-garland. The worship is solemnised by offering Indian Gooseberry (Amloki) which is the favourite fruit of Mother Jagadhatri, and she is greeted with “Aegle Marmelos – Bel Patra” & “Blue Asian Pigeonwings – Neel Aparajita”, and “Red Hibiscus – Lal Jaba”.

Today’s worship would be followed by “Khar Bandha – Compilation of Straws” to contrive the basis of the structure of the idol. The same would be formalised after the completion of the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja as informed by Surajit Pal.  

To be continued………….

Writer Suvro Sanyal

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