Festivals
Date
Navapatrika Puja
About
Navapatrika Puja is performed on Maha Saptami morning. It involves the ritual bathing and installation of nine types of plants (Patrikas) that represent the various forms of Goddess Durga.
Significance:
The nine plants—Banana, Colocasia, Turmeric, Jayanti, Bilva, Pomegranate, Asoka, Mana, and Paddy—collectively symbolize the Goddess's presence in nature and her role as the sustainer of life and agriculture. It is a celebration of the divine life force in the environment.
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Holy Bath: Carrying the Navapatrika to a river or a sacred water body for a ritual bath at dawn. 2. Installation: Dressing the plants in a new red-bordered saree (Kolabou) and placing them beside Lord Ganesha. 3. Shodashopachara Puja: Performing a full sixteen-step worship of the plants as the living Goddess.