Jagaddhatri Puja

Jagaddhatri Puja is also denoted with the names Jagaddhatri or Jagadhatri Pujas in the Hindu faith. This festival is denoted with the festival of worshipping a supreme Goddess—the Devi who is considered the protector of the whole world. This festival is very much a prominent festival in the state of West Bengal where its celebration is usually seen with the great zeal. It has been gaining popularity in other parts of the country as well.

This festival has though gained ample popularity in other parts of the country over the period. The celebration of Jagaddhatri Puja is a cult from Tantra that describes the Sattva symbol for both Durga and Kali Goddesses. Those factors should be best evaluated for proper understanding of this Goddess and why to worship her. This puja is indeed a symbolization of Rajas and Tamas with a remarkable Gosthastami celebration to judge the power of the supreme power.

History

According to the historic counts the celebration of Jagaddhatri Puja is very much in practice since many centuries. This puja is usually celebrated as an another form of the popular Durga Puja which remains one of the major festivals in the Hindu faith. As this puja too starts on the Asthami tithi and it end is on the Dashami tithi, its popularity mustn’t be ignored. It is very much similar to that of the Durga Puja and is often celebrated on those lines only. Its celebration time is determined on certain factors and on the basis of a luni-solar Hindu calendar to determine the exact date and time of the puja every year.

Celebrations

The attractions during the Jagaddhatri Puja celebrations are worth noting. The two key elements—Tantra and Purana remain pivotal during this festive season in the state of West Bengal and the areas where this puja has gained popularity now. Its unique depiction through the symbolic morning sun color and most notably a three-eyed and four-armed deity concept whose holding the chakra & conch besides bow and arrow symbolize power so are the rest factors like clothed in the red and bright jewels turn this puja occasion into something unique and outstanding as well.

Some more attractions of Jagaddhatri Puja which can’t be ignored are the depiction of the Goddess into a leading role of riding the lion which stand on the Elephant demon—the dead Karindrasura. The arising of Jagaddhatri from individual’s heart is worth noting which is Sri Ramakrishna and is very much powerful to keep thorough control over the frantic elephant that symbolizes mind. This Goddess is worshipped mainly in the West Bengal state but its popularity has also increased in many other areas like a few locations in the nearby Orissa state and the rest states where it is part of a socio-cultural celebration now.

Importance of Festival

Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great zeal in West Bengal, Orissa and rest states that directly indicate the popularity of this festival in the Indian subcontinent. It is an undeniable fact this puja has now become a part of the Indian society, so is it an autumnal Hindu event post Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivals respectively.

Sarada Devi had started this trend of Jagaddhatri Puja in the Ramakrishna Mission in West bengal. Popular Bengali belief still prevails that Sri Ramakrishna was one of the avatars of Goddess Devi. Attempts have been made to establish such Missions in various other parts of the world to popularize this puja worldwide.

As the name Jagaddhatri from Jagaddhatri Puja refers to one of the various names of the Goddess Durga, the relevance of this worship has not died down yet. It indeed increases every passing of the day in West Bengal and rest states. The myth still prevails that Jagaddhatri Puja is an important one because Jagaddhatri is the beholder of the entire world. Perhaps it is one such myth that most hymns in praise of this Goddess worship Jagaddhatri Durga through being sung in worships.

It should also be noted that Jagaddhatri Puja is conducted to worship Jagaddhatri Goddess which is equally denoted with many other names including few mentioned here like Karindrasuranisudini, Maheswari, Shaktacharpriya and Adharabhuta amongst others.

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