Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, brother. Yes, go ahead.
Devotee:
Gurudev, in two days, the Jagadhatri Puja for the Bengali Sanatan Hindu community is about to begin. However, many of us donât know much about this puja. We would like to hear about it from you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, Jagadhatri Puja is essentially Durga Puja. Itâs plain and simple. Earlier, it used to be performed primarily in households, but gradually it has become a community (Baroari) celebration. Just like Durga Puja, it is held over three days: Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. A special highlight is the Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar, which is very famous.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
On the first day, the motherâs idol is consecrated. In domestic pujas, the rituals for Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami are often condensed into a single day. But fundamentally, it is Durga Puja. If you recite her meditation mantra (Dhyan), you can understand her form: she is seated on a lion, with a crescent moon on her head, her complexion like a green emerald, with four arms holding a conch, discus, bow, and arrow. She has three eyes and is adorned with various ornaments and tinkling anklets. She is Durga, the remover of all distress (Durgati Harini).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Her Dhyan describes her as Durga. This puja usually takes place in the month of Agrahayan (also called Margashirsha). In ancient times, Agrahayan was considered the first month of the year. Later, during the Mughal eraâunder emperors like Babur and Akbarâthe calendar was modified. Since the harvest occurs in winter, they shifted the start of the Bengali year to the month of Baishakh to align with tax collections from farmers.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Farmers would request the landlords, saying they couldnât pay taxes until the crops were sold. Since the harvest and the availability of good produce like cabbage and potatoes happen around this time, the first month was eventually changed to Baishakh. But originally, Agrahayan was the first month of the year.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As I mentioned, many households complete the puja in one day. However, traditional zamindar families still begin from the first day (Pratipada) and follow the full schedule of Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, including the Sandhi Puja and rituals of sacrifice (Bali).
Devotee:
Gurudev, why is there such a difference in how it's performed?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These rituals were designed by scholars long ago. It wasnât originally a Tantric puja; it was a domestic one. Over time, it evolved into community celebrations. There are actually three Durga Pujas in a year: the 'Akal Bodhon' in the month of Ashwin, this one in Agrahayan (Jagadhatri), and another in the month of Chaitra (Basanti Puja).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All three are forms of Durga. In the Jagadhatri Dhyan, she is specifically called 'Durga Durgati Harini.' She sits on a lion and carries weapons like the bow and arrow.
Devotee:
So, youâre saying she is another form of Durga?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, she is a form of Durga. She is Singhabahini (seated on a lion). Let me recite the Dhyan once more for you: she is peaceful (shanta), adorned with jewels, holding the bow and arrow. It is completely a Durga Puja.
Devotee:
Gurudev, is there a specific 'Anjali' mantra for Mother Jagadhatri?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is the same as the Durga Anjali mantra. Even for Kali Puja, the same Durga Anjali mantra is often provided because she is also addressed as a form of Durga. There is no difference.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we see that Jagadhatri Puja has become very widespread now, with many clubs and communities organizing it. It wasn't like this beforeâpeople mostly focused on Durga, Kali, Saraswati, or Lakshmi Puja. Why is that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Itâs about the joy of celebration. Communities and clubs look for reasons to celebrate together. They have taken the domestic puja and brought it out into the public sphere. For many, the main rituals happen on Navami, which is the most elaborate day, featuring the sacrifice, Sandhi Puja, and the Homa (fire ritual). Once the Homa and Dakshina are completed, the puja concludes. It follows the Vedic tradition.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This form of the mother is also mentioned in the Chandi (Devi Mahatmyam). Jagadhatri is the one who sustains the world. She is Mother Durga. She appeared during the final dissolution and fought alongside Durga against the demons.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bengalis have thirteen festivals in twelve months. Now, community celebrations have taken over many traditional domestic pujas. People find joy in it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I recall the story of the devotee Ramprasad. When he was going through a very difficult time, he sought guidance from many people. Someone told him to chant the name of Durga to remove his poverty and distress. He did so for a long time, but when he saw no improvement, he wrote a song expressing his frustration, saying that even though he chants her name day and night, his misery remains.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He even wrote about how he felt misled by different spiritual advices, like drinking water after drawing lines on it for peace. He went through many struggles and sought many paths. So, the point is, Durga is worshipped in these three forms throughout the year.
Devotee:
Gurudev, do non-Bengali Hindus also celebrate this puja?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Non-Bengalis mostly focus on Chhath Puja. Jagadhatri Puja is primarily a Bengali festival. While it may have spread to some other places, it remains a hallmark of Bengali culture.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we didn't know much about this. We just used to see the pandals and idols. It was wonderful to hear the Dhyan mantra from you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You should visit Chandannagar to see the true scale of it. People there buy new clothes for Jagadhatri Puja instead of Durga Puja. The entire region comes out to celebrate. The immersion procession (Bhashan) is particularly magnificent and unique. Itâs a sight to behold.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Nowadays, many priests donât know these details; they just follow whatever is written in the books. But the essence remains the same. The Anjali mantra is the same as Durga Puja.
Devotee:
Weâve learned so much about the methods and the meditation mantra of this puja today. We are very grateful. Pranam to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.