Goddess Jagaddhatri is an aspect of Goddess Parvati (Durga). She is a Hindu Shakti Goddess. Her name in the Upanishads is Uma Haimvati. She is also mentioned in various Tantras and Puranas.
Goddess Jagaddhatri is depicted with the color of morning sun, three eyes and four hands that carry Shankh (conch shell) and Dhanush (bow) on the left side and Chakra (disk) and Panchavana (five-headed arrow) on the right. There is the Nagyajnopabeet (snake) round her neck. Goddess Jagaddhatri rides on a lion that stands on an elephant. Another name for elephant in Sanskrit is ‘Kari’. Goddess Jagaddhatri is said to have killed Karindrasura, the elephant-like demon. That is why she is called Karindrasurnisudini. The goddess (Jagaddhatri) is visualized in Jagaddhatri’s Dhyana Mantra as follows:
simhaskandhasmarudhang nanalankarbhushitam।
chaturbhujang mahadeving nagyajnopabeetinim॥
sankhasharangasamayukta bampanidwanbitam।
chakrancha panchabananashcha dadhating dakshine kare॥
raktavastraparidhanang balarksdrishitnu।
nardadyairmuniganai sebitang bhavasundarim॥
trivalibalyopetnavinalmrinalinim।
ratnadvipe mahadvipe simhasansamanvite।
prafullakamalarudhang dhyettang bhavgehinim॥
According to legend, after the killing of Mahishasura, the gods became very arrogant. They felt that Goddess Durga (Mahishasura Mardini) had become their instrument for slaying the Asuras (demons). It is then that the Goddess herself came as a symbol of power to make the gods realize that her power is hidden in their every action. So Yaksha asked Vayu Deva to realize what he could do for him. Then Vayu Deva boasted that he could blow anything in the air. Then Yaksha placed a small grass and asked Vayu Deva to blow it, but he was unable. Similarly the other gods also showed their strength, but all were defeated. Then Yaksha said to the gods, “Your power is actually not your own. Adishakti Mata Jagaddhatri is omnipotent. She is the source of all power. She is the protector of the structure of this world. Hence she is called Jagaddhatri.”
Jagaddhatri Puja festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm like Durga Puja. This festival is celebrated in Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Bengali month of Kartik (October-November). Mainly this puja is celebrated on Gostashtami. The worship of the goddess continues for four days. Actually this puja lasts from Saptami to Dashami.
It is said that Sarada Devi, wife of Ramakrishna Dev( one of the Top 10 Spiritual Gurus of Bengal), started this festival at the Ramakrishna Mission. Soon after, the festival was celebrated in Ramakrishna Mission temples located around the world. This festival is celebrated as the reincarnation of Devi Durga. It is believed that the goddess came to earth to destroy evil powers and bring happiness and peace to her devotees.
Jagaddhatri Puja Festival is celebrated in the most grand manner in the subcontinent at Chandannagar in West Bengal, India. The origin of Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar dates back to as early as 1750 AD. It is known that a local Zamindar (landlord) named Indramohan Chowdhury first started the Jagaddhatri Puja in his house. He had good relations with Raja Krishnachandra of Krishnanagar. It is said that it was Raja Krishnachandra who later started the Jagaddhatri Puja in Krishnanagar.
Jay Mata Jagaddhatri
By Krishna Das
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