Jagadhatri Puja 2011 at Chandannagar, Chinsura , Hooghly

A Little History before I start : Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar, Hoogly, Rishra, Tehatta and Krishnanagar, Nadia is a special socio-cultural celebration in this region. In Kolkata, too, Jagaddhatri Puja is a major autumnal Hindu event after Durga Puja and Kali Puja.The cult of Jagdhatri is derived from the Tantra where she is the symbol of Sattva beside Durga and Kali and is respectably symbolised with Rajas and Tamas. Jagadhatri Puja is celebrated on the 9th lunar day of the light fortnight of the month of Karthika as mentioned in the "Krityatattarnab" by Srinath acharyachuramoni of the 15th and 16th century.

Pauranik lore

As per ancient Pauranik lore of the Hindu scriptures, soon after the victory over Mahishasur the Devatas became highly egoistic. They thought because of lending to Durga their instruments the mighty asuras were vanquished. To make them understand that the primordial power is alone behind every action, the Brahman appeared before the Devatas in the form of effulgent Yaksha.

Bewildered by its presence one by one the Devatas approached Yaksha. First the god of wind Vayu. The Yaksha asked him what he could do. The Vayu replied that he could throw away huge trees, tumble high mountains. The Yaksha then placed a small grass and asked him to move it. The Vayu utilised all his powers but lo! he could not even displace it. So also the god of fire Agni, could not even burn it. Likewise one by one the Devatas failed.

And it dawned on them that their powers are in reality not their own but derived from the supreme power who as protecting mother holds the entire creation and therefore called Jagaddhatri. Anybody who worships Jagaddhatri becomes absolutely egoless and a true servant of the world which is nothing but a manifestation of the Brahman.

Now My Turn:

Going over to Chandannagar for Jagadhatri Puja had been a mission for the past many years. But for some reason or the other, it could not happen. Just after the Durga puja and Kali Puja ( Dipawali) Holidays, its quite difficult to get leave from the office

This time it was - NOW or NEVER situation, as friends staying there are about to move out from the place

Also, luckily we had a long weekend this time with Jagadhatri Puja Dashami falling on Saturday and Id on Monday.

Though we had a working day on Sat, we left early from office and boarded the Katwa Local from Howrah station at 5:35 P.M - which would stop at Chuchura.

During the festival season, there are special trains for Howrah - Bandel route, which stops at Chuchura and Chandannagar.

We got off at Chuchura (Chinsura) where our friends stay. We freshened up at their place and went towards the GT road connector from where the procession of Jagadhatri Puja would cross.

The Jagadhatri Puja here is famous for the light processions which each local clubs display. When we reached there, the procession had already started. We sat on chairs by a sweet shop and njoyed the procession. One-by-One trucks full of lighting themes crossed us. Time went by .. It was 11:00 P.M. We were a bit hungry. So we went back to our friends place for dinner and came back within half an hour. The procession was very flamboyant. Each Idol of the Goddess Jagadhattri was at least 3 stories high.

We spent the whole night watching the procession. It was dawn (6:00 A.M to be precise) when we left the place. The procession had not ended yet. But we were a bit weary after being awake for so long. But however, we enjoyed clicking all that ....