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. Here is the Nabapatrika Mantra For Durga puja in Bengali –
The mantra for worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga
together through the Nabapatrika is:
'নবপত্রিকাবাসিন্যৈ
নবদুর্গায়ৈ নমঃ'।
'Navapatrikabhasinya Navadurgaaye Namah.'
'नवपत्रिकावासिन्यै
नवदुर्गायै नमः।'
The main Durga Puja ceremony begins after the Nabapatrika
enters the pandal."
According to tradition, on the day of the seventh, before
sunrise, a banana tree is bathed in the waters of the Ganga. After this, the
tree is dressed in a saree, much like a newly married bride.
However, it is not just the banana tree that makes up the
Nabapatrika, there are eight other plants as well. These include bel, ashoka,
taro, turmeric, paddy, jayanti, mango, and the datura plant.
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.
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.
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.