The Rituals Of Durga Puja - Maha Saptami

Maa Durga

          Yesterday we have talked about the rituals of Maha Sasthi of Durga Puja. Today is the seventh day of Durga Puja. It is called Maha Saptami. Various rituals are also performed on this day.

          
          The main ritual of this day is Kola Bou Snan (bathing of the banana plant). In the early morning the day starts by bathing the banana plant in the holy water.

Kola Bou Snan

           The Banana plantain with another eight plants is tied with the twigs of white Aparajita plant (Butterfly Pea). Then it is bathed in the holy water. In Kolkata it is performed in the Ganga. Then a traditional Bengali saree is draped on it.

            
            If you visit any Durga puja Pandal, you will see a banana plant draped in red white saree placed by the side of Lord Ganesha. As it looks like a new bride, it is called Kola Bou (kola means banana and Bou means married woman). Bengalis believed it to be the wife of Lord Ganesha. But that’s not the truth. This is called Nabapatrika. The meaning of Nabapatrika is nine leaves. This Nabapatrika symbolizes Goddess Durga.

Rituals Of Nabapatrika

          According to the rituals after bathing the Nabapatrika, it is brought to the puja pandal and placed on the right side of Goddess Durga. The Main Puja starts with this ritual. The nxt few days this Nabapatrika is worshipped with Goddess Durga.   

Nine Plants Of Nabapatrika

  

          The nine plants of the Nabapatrika represent nine different forms of Maa Durga.

                                           Banana plant represents Goddess Brahmani

                                            Turmeric plant represents Goddess Durga

                       Jayanti plant represent Goddess Kartiki

                        Wood Apple tree represents Goddess Shiva

                        Pomegranate plant represent Goddess Raktadantika

                        Ashoka tree represents Goddess Sokrahita

                       Arum plant represents Goddess Chamunda

                       Rice pant represents Goddess Lakshmi

                      Cola cassia Plant represents Goddess Kalika

          
            But the interesting fact is that among the nine Goddesses only Goddess Chamunda is worshipped. Rituals do not allow to worship the rest eight goddesses.

          
             In ancient times Nabapatrika was worshipped by the farmers for a good harvest. But after Durga Puja gained the popularity, people started to perform this ritual with Durga Puja.