Patrika Pravesh is an important ritual held during the Durga Puja and it is observed on the Saptami day. Patrika Pravesh 2026 date is October 17. This puja is also known as Nabapatrika Puja or Nabapatrika Pooja. ‘Nava’ means nine and ‘Patrika’ means leaves in Sanskrit and Nabapatrika is part of rituals during Durga Puja and is installed on Saptami day. The leaves are also known as Nine Durgas.
Whether it's Basanti Puja or Akal Bodhan, the tradition of Kalabou Snan (banana tree bathing) is observed on the seventh day of the festival. Early in the morning, the banks of the Ganga are filled with a large crowd.
In the Durga pandal, next to Lord Ganesha, you can find the Kalabou, also known as the Nabapatrika (Nine Plants).
Nabapatrika symbolize nine deities worshipped in Hinduism. The nine plants are plantain (Banana), Kacu, Turmeric, Jayanti, Wood Apple (Bilva), Pomegranate, Ashoka, Arum and Rice Paddy or Dhanya. During dawn on Saptami day, just as the first light of sun descents on earth, Nabapatrika puja is performed.
These nine plants actually represent the nine forms of Goddess Durga: Brahmani, Kalika, Uma, Kartiki, Shiba, Raktadantika, Shokarhita, Chamunda, and Lakshmi. These nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped through the Nabapatrika. In other words, it is the Goddess of crops who is being worshipped through these nine forms.
Along with the banana tree, the other eight plants and two bel trees are tied together with an unyielding vine. Then they are dressed in a new saree, and a veil is draped over them like a newlywed bride.
The Pran Pratishta, or life, is breathed into the idol of Goddess Durga. The ritual is performed on the Ghats of a river or pond. The idol of Goddess Durga is not taken to the pond instead life is symbolically transferred from water to plantain tree.
After the Ganga Snan (ritual bath in the Ganga), the Nabapatrika is brought to the pandal, where Goddess Durga is given a grand bath. After this, the Kalabou is placed next to Lord Ganesha. For the next four days, the Nabapatrika is worshipped along with the other gods and goddesses.
The ritual is an elaborate one and the stem of the banana tree is draped in a new red and white saree and the leaves are left uncovered. The banana plantain and other leaves are brought back in a procession and it is placed near Lord Ganesha in the Durga Puja Pandal.
One important thing to note is that no other deity is separately worshipped in this ritual. However, before the plants enter, a puja is performed for Goddess Chamunda in front of them.
The mantra for worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga together through the Nabapatrika is: 'Navapatrikabhasinya Navadurgaaye Namah.'
The main Durga Puja ceremony begins after the Nabapatrika enters the pandal.
You may also like to read
