Jagadhatri Puja 2025 date in Bengal - Importance and Spiritual Significance of Jagadhatri Puja Observed in Eastern Parts of India

Jagadhatri Puja is observed on the ninth day of the waxing phase of moon in Kartik month in Bengal and eastern parts of India. It is also known as Dhatri Pooja and Jagadamba Puja. Jagadhatri Puja 2025 date is October 30. Goddess Jagadhatri is a manifestation of Goddess Durga and the festival is mainly observed in the Chandannagar area in West Bengal – the ritual had its origin here.

In the Upanishads, Jagaddhatri is named Uma Haimavati. The Katyayani Tantra mentions the appearance of Devi Jagadhatri on Kartiki Shukla Navami. Jagadhatri Puja is performed according to the Tantric tradition. The rules of this puja are also somewhat distinct.

The Scriptures And Form Of Jagadhatri For Puja

The original form, the description of the idol, the method of worship (pujo paddhati), the meditation (dhyan), and the time of worship (pujo kal) for Jagadhatri Puja were established by the sage Chandrachur Tarkachuramoni of the Haripur Brahma Shashan region. Alternatively, some believe it was established by the great scholar, master of Tantra, and realized sage of the Kaulavadhutacharya lineage, Raghunath Tarkabagish Mahashay, who was a descendant of the Bengali Tantric Siddha-Purusha Krishnananda Agambagish. He detailed the seed mantra (beej mantra) and the initiation rites (dikshabidhi) for Jagaddhatri Puja in his great book, 'Agmatattwa Bilas.'

In the book 'Kalbibek,' Shulapani writes regarding the rules of worship:

Kartiko'malapakshasya tretadou navame'hani. Pujayet tam Jagaddhatrim singhaprishthe nishedushim.

Which means: "Worship Devi Jagaddhatri, who is seated upon a lion, on the Navami Tithi of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik at the beginning of the Treta Yuga."

How is Goddess Jagadhatri Worshiped During Puja?

The Goddess is worshipped through two main customs. The worship lasts for three days: Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. The Goddess is worshipped with sixteen traditional items (shodash upachare). In some places, a Kumari Puja (worship of a young virgin girl) is organized after the first or second day's worship. There is a tradition of sacrifice (bolidan) in this puja. Instead of a goat sacrifice, sugarcane or ash gourd sacrifice is also performed.

Like Durga Puja, the ceremony of immersion (bisarjan) in Jagaddhatri Puja is known as Bijayakritya.

Even many of the mantras for the worship, including the floral offering (pushpanjali) and the prostration mantra (pronam mantra), are similar to those of Durga Puja.

However, despite many similarities with Durga Puja, the ritual of the Navapatrika (nine plants) is not observed. The worship of the Goddess is primarily focused on the Navami of Jagaddhatri Puja. 

At Belur Math, following the strict calendar (bishuddho panjika), the three days' worship (Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami) are performed in a single day, on the Navami Tithi itself. The puja is organized in three segments: Purvahna (forenoon), Madhyahna (noon), and Aparahna (afternoon). Following the worship of the three periods, there is a sacrificial fire (hom), floral offerings, and the evening arati (lamp ceremony). The Mother's symbolic immersion is performed in a mirror, and the physical immersion of the idol takes place later that same day in the evening.

Today, Jagadhatri Puja is performed in different parts of West Bengal and in some regions in Eastern India. As Jagadhatri, Goddess Durga is the protector of the earth.

In the form of Goddess Jagadhatri she is caring and showers motherly love on her devotees. This is one of the mild and happy forms of Goddess Durga.

Goddess Jagadhatri is depicted as riding a lion and she has four hands. She holds conch, discus, shaft, and bow in her four hands. An elephant is depicted as lying down near the idol. It is believed that Jagadhatri Puja had its origin in Chandannagar in West Bengal before 1750 AD when the region was under the French rule.

The epicenter of Jagadhatri Puja is Chandannagar in Bengal. Numerous Jagadhatri Puja committees put up Jagadhatri idols during the period.

Special pandals (temporary temples) are created for Jagadhatri Puja. The murti of Goddess Jagadhatri is beautifully decorated for worship. The puja ends with the immersion of the murti. The immersion procession is colorful and is attended by thousands of people.

Cultural activities, prayers, bhajans, Dhunuchi dance etc are organized during the Jagadhatri Puja period.

Some of the other rituals that are observed on Kartik Shukla Paksha Ashtami are Akshaya Navami. Amla Navami.  Kushmanda Navami. Pushkar Fair begins in Rajasthan

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