Jagadhatri is another form of Devi Durga, who is worshipped mostly in West Bengal and Odisha. It is believed that once she controlled the ego of the demi gods and told to them that she was the UNIVERSAL GODDESS, and everything was controlled by her, and Goddess took her original divine form as Goddess Jagadhatri sitting on a lion and the demi gods accepted their mistake and asked her to pardon them.
The Jagadhatri Puja was first started by the king of Bengal. Jagadhatri Puja is very popular in West Bengal and Odisha. Jagadhatri Puja is one of the ancient puja in Bengal. According to history, once the ruler of west Bengal was arrested by the Nawab for non-payment of taxes. He was released from Prison during Vijaya Dashami Festival. Due to that, in order to thank Mata Durga, Jagatdhatri Puja was performed.
Similar to Sri Jaganath’s Ratha Yatra, every year Jagadhatri festival is celebrated in a grand manner in Odisha,which generally takes place during the month of October–November.
During the festival, grand mela will be organized and Devi’s Holy Prasad will be served to the devotees after the end of the puja. Devotees from all over india will visit this mela, in order to receive the blessings of Mata Jagadhatri. Various decorations will be made in the mela festival and Devi will be decorated with flower garlands and proper lighting arrangements will be there.During Vijaya Dasami day, large number of people will attend the puja function to seek the blessings of the holy mother.
According to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, “Jagadhatridevi is residing in the hearts of all of her sincere devotees, and through her grace only our mind can be controlled, and we will be able to think about good things and can avoid bad things in our life. She is the divine mother who controls us, and helps us to move to the correct path. And she is none other than Durga and Kali Devi.
“OM SREE MATA JAGADHATRI DEVI NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR
