Jagaddhatri

2026-02-21T14:08:44Z

148.252.129.79:

{{Short description|Aspect of goddess Durga}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Burima, Krishnanagar.jpg
| caption = The idol of Jagadhatri maa (Burima) in Chasapara barowari, Krishnanagar.
| name = Jagaddhatri / Jagadhatri / Mahadurga
| affiliation = [[Mahadevi]], [[Parvati]], [[Durga]], Jagaddhatri, [[Mahadurga]], Uma Haimavati
| mantra = ॐ महादेव्यै बिद्महे, सिंहवाहिन्यै धीमहि, तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात॥
| weapon = [[Chakram]], [[Bow (weapon)|Bow]], [[Arrow]], [[conch]]
| consort = [[Shiva]]
| mount = [[Lion]]
| planet =
| color = [[Red]] and [[green]]
}}
'''Jagatdhatri''' or '''Jagaddhatri''' or '''Mahadurga''' ({{IPA|bn|d͡ʒɔɡod̪ʱːat̪ɾi|audio=LL-Q9610 (ben)-Titodutta-জগদ্ধাত্রী.wav}}, {{lit|Bearer of the World}}) is an aspect of the [[Hindu goddess]] [[Durga]], worshipped in the [[Indian states|Indian state]] of [[West Bengal]] and other states like [[Odisha]] and [[Jharkhand]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somen |title=Durga's reincarnation Jagaddhatri Puja marks end of Bengal's two-month-long festivities |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/events/durgas-reincarnation-jagaddhatri-puja-marks-the-end-of-bengals-two-month-long-festive-season/cid/1981573 |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]] |date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Patra |first1=Subhankar |title=জগদ্ধাত্রীর আরাধনায় সাজছে বাংলা, কবে শুরু পুজো? কদিন ধরে চলবে! |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/religion/jagadhatri-puja-2024-this-year-s-puja-date/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Sangbad Pratidin]] |date=5 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> Maa Jagadhatri, the Goddess who is revered as the protector of the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jagadhatri Puja: Know about this avatar of the Mother Goddess |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/religion/article/jagadhatri-puja-2020-know-how-this-avatar-of-the-mother-goddess-came-into-being/685334 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Times Now]] |date=23 November 2020|quote=The term Jagadhatri literally means the one who holds the universe. Therefore, she is hailed as the Supreme power.}}</ref> In Bengal, her puja is celebrated as the comeback of Devi, specifically in [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]], [[Chandannagar]], [[Shantipur|Santipur]], [[Rishra]], [[Midnapore]],[[Singur]] and [[Guptipara]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Oindrilla |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/chandannagar-city-of-lights-shines-for-jagadhatri-puja-as-bengal-soaks-in-more-festive-spirit-6287431.html |title=Chandannagar, 'City of Lights' Shines for Jagadhatri Puja as Bengal Soaks in Festive Spirit |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=[[News18]] |date=1 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=চন্দননগরের সব থেকে বড় প্রতিমা 'রানিমা', কী ভাবে দেবী পেলেন এমন নাম, জানুন কাহিনি |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/ananda-utsav/puja-parikrama/learn-the-story-behind-chandannagars-largest-jagadhatri-idol-ranima-dgtl-photogallery/cid/1558289?slide=1 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |date=5 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=West Bengal: Jagadhatri Puja is in full swing in Chandannagar |url=https://theprint.in/india/west-bengal-jagadhatri-puja-is-in-full-swing-in-chandannagar/1194768/ |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=[[ThePrint]] |date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

==Legends==
The legend of Jagaddhatri is inspired from a tale in the ''[[Kena Upanishad#Allegory of three gods and one goddess - Third and Fourth khandas|Kena Upanishad]]''. In the ''Katyayani [[Tantras (Hinduism)|Tantra]]'', the following legend is told. After the goddess [[Durga]] killed [[Mahishasura]], the gods of [[Svarga]] forgot about her powers. So, in order to test them, Parvati appeared before the gods [[Agni]], [[Vayu]], [[Varuna]], and [[Chandra]], who considered themselves invincible and were engulfed by ''[[ahamkara]]'' (ego). She asked them to move a tiny blade of grass. Vayu failed to pluck it; Agni failed to burn it. Every god failed at the task. In the end, they understood that the [[Mahadevi|Goddess]] is the source of all power in the universe; even theirs. The goddess appeared before them as Uma, riding on a lion. The goddess is equated with [[Brahman]] in the narrative. The goddess gave the ego of the gods the form of an elephant. Jagaddhatri is depicted sitting on a lion with an elephant under them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patra |first1=Subhankar |title=জগদ্ধাত্রীর পদতলে কেন হস্তীমুণ্ড? জানুন দেবীর রূপের অজানা কাহিনি |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/religion/jagadhatri-puja-2024-why-is-there-an-elephant-under-the-feet-of-jagadhatri/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Sangbad Pratidin]] |date=5 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> The elephant, symbolizing ''ahamkara'', lies under the paws of her ''[[vahana]]'' the lion, who symbolises courage, valour and the strength to overcome any challenges, including one's internal struggles with the ''Shada Ripus'' ("the six enemies").
She is named as ''Mahadurga'' in [[Shiva Purana]]. While in some other texts, as ''Uma Haimavati''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jagadhatri Puja 2019: All you need to know about the Mother Goddess|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/religion/article/jagadhatri-puja-2019-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-mother-goddess/511428 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Times Now]] |date=5 November 2019}}</ref>

Her dhyana mantra describes her weapons, vahana and her iconography. She is sitting atop a [[lion]], wearing different jewelry, in her four hands Devi holds [[Bow (weapon)|bow]], [[Arrow (weapon)|arrow]], [[Chakram|chakra]] and [[Conch (instrument)|Samkha]].<ref name="ct">{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Shreya |title=Jagaddhatri Puja 2024: From Date To Significance, Here's All You Need To Know About The Grand Festival |url=https://curlytales.com/jagaddhatri-puja-2024-from-date-to-significance-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-grand-festival/ |access-date=12 December 2024 |work=Curly Tales |date=8 November 2024}}</ref> She is reddish like the rising sun and she is wearing a snake garland. Her reddish colour and weapons are the symbols of [[Rajas|raja]] guna but this is not for destruction and going to war. Rather this is to keep the world focused on Ritam & Satyam.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jagadhatri Puja depicts Nari Sakti |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/jagadhatri-puja-depicts-nari-sakti-1503242301.html |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=20 November 2023}}</ref>

In her [[stotra]]m (Jagadhatri Strotram), she has been invoked as Adhara bhutah, Dhritirupah, Dhurandharah, Dhruvapadah, Shaktistah, Shaktirupah, Shaktacharpriyah, Shaktivigrahe. "You must believe in the Ishwara rupa. Do you know the meaning of Jagadhatri rupa? She is carrying the world. If she stops then the world will get destroyed" is said by [[Ramakrishna|Sri Ramakrishna]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mazumder |first1=Payel |title=বেলুড় মঠের সারদাপীঠে মহাসমারোহে শুরু জগদ্ধাত্রী পুজো, নবমীতে পুজো সপ্তমী, অষ্টমীরও |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/religion/rituals-of-nabami-on-jagadhatri-puja-2023-started-at-belur-math-saradapitha-with-believers-crowding-there-since-morning-1025635 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[ABP Ananda]] |date=21 November 2023 |language=bn}}</ref>

She sustains the universe through her [[Yoga|Yoga shakti]]. Naga/Sarpa is the symbol of Yoga & [[Upanayana|Upavitam]] is the symbol of [[Brahmin|Bramhin]]. Devi is [[yogini]]. She is using the world through her maha yoga shakti. The act of rescuing the world is her ''lila''.

It is said that she had killed the [[elephant]] demon, ''Karindrasura''. Its mention is not found in her dhyana mantra but in her idol an [[elephant]] is seen below her mount [[lion]], who is none other than ''Karindrasura''.
It's said that once the [[Airavata]] of [[Indra]] was cursed and therefore it took birth as Karindrasura. He became a very strong demon. Once, he saw goddess [[Ganga]] and was attracted to her beauty. Hence, he lusted for her, but Ganga rejected his proposal. Karindrasur became very furious about the rejection and forced Ganga to come with her. To save her life she prayed to goddess [[Mahamaya]] and she appeared in the form of Jagatdhatri. A vicious battle took place between the goddess and the demon, where Goddess Jagatdhatri slayed Karindrasura with the help of her [[chakra]], [[Bow and arrow|Bow]] and [[arrow]]. From then she was known as ''Karindrasurnishudini''. After that Airavat was free from the curse.

Another encounter mentions that Karindrasura became an important and powerful official of Durgamasura whom Goddess [[Durga]] killed by taking form of Jagaddhatri during the battle of Durga and [[Durgamasura]].

Another story tells that when [[Mahishasura]] took form of an elephant during the battle with Goddess [[Katyayini]], he came to be known as ''Karindrasura'', who was slayed by Goddess in form of Jagddhatri with Chakra, bow and arrow. In this encounter Mahishasura and Karindrasura are indifferent, just with different animal forms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patra |first1=Subhankar |title=জগদ্ধাত্রীর অপর নাম করীন্দ্রাসুরনিসূদিনী। হাতি বধ করেন বলেই এই নাম। আর কী বলছে পুরাণ? |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/religion/jagadhatri-puja-2024-why-is-there-an-elephant-under-the-feet-of-jagadhatri/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Sangbad Pratidin]] |date=5 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="ct" />
==Difference between Durga and Mahadurga (Jagaddhatri)==

Though form of the same goddess, both ''Durga'' and ''Mahadurga'' (Jagaddhatri) have difference.
Durga is said to have killed demons: [[Durgamasura]] and [[Mahishasura]]. While Mahadurga or Jagaddhatri is said to have destroyed the pride of the gods or [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] and killed the demon Karindrasura. In Katyayini Tantra Jagaddhatri is named as Mahadurga. Hence, [[Mahadurga]] is the another name of [[Jagaddhatri]]. She is different from ''MahishasurMardini Durga'' or Durgamdalani ''ShriDurga''.

Another difference between both is that Mahadurga represents ''Sattvasguna'', while Durga represents ''Rajaguna''.

==History of worship==
{{main|Jagaddhatri puja}}
[[File:Jagaddhatri Krishnanagar Rajbati.jpg|thumb|200px|Jagatdhatri Puja at Krishnanagar Royal Palace]]
Popular narrative states that the worship of Jagaddhatri in Bengal was begun by [[Maharaja Krishnachandra]] of Krishnanagar, Nadia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Majumder |first1=Suparna |title=ইতিহাস থেকে জানা যায় এই পুজো শুরু হয় কৃষ্ণনগরে। রাজা কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র স্বপ্নাদেশ পেয়ে এই পুজো শুরু করেন। |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/bengal/jagadhatri-puja-2024-live-telecast-information-of-chandannagars-immersion-procession/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Sangbad Pratidin]] |date=6 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> However, as per local history, the worship of goddess Jagatdhatri was first established by Chandrachur Tarkamani of Santipur who made an idol of the goddess at the behest of Raja Girishchandra. At the time only ''ghat puja'' was conducted at [[Krishnanagar, Nadia]] in Bengal. Idol worship of the goddess was initiated in the village of Bramhasason, which is located in Haripur in Santipur, Nadia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jagadhatri Puja 2022: There are different opinions about the history of Jagadhatri Puja. History says that the first puja started in a tree|url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/astrology/where-did-jagaddhatri-puja-begin-history-tells-about-a-shantipur-31667362521347.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110060901/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/astrology/where-did-jagaddhatri-puja-begin-history-tells-about-a-shantipur-31667362521347.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2022|website= Hindustan Times|access-date=Nov 2, 2022}}</ref> Furthermore, the Jaleshwara temple of Shantipur (1665) and Raghaveshwara Temple (1669) have the idol of the goddess inside the sanctum sanctorum as well as carved on the temple walls. So, her worship may have been known in Nadia long before Krishna Chandra.<ref name="ZeeNewsArticle">{{cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/lifestyle/jagaddhatri-puja-in-bengal-first-celebrated-specfically-in-krishnanagar-by-maharaja-krishnachandra_448085.html|title=Jagaddhatri Puja: Who started Jagaddhatri Puja in Bengal and where?|website=Zee News|access-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref>

At Krishnanagar, Raj Rajeshwary Jagatdhatri Puja is one of the oldest in Bengal. According to local history, [[Maharaja Krishnachandra]] was imprisoned by Nawab Alivardi Khan and, after his release on [[Vijaya Dashami]], received a vision of Goddess Jagaddhatri, inspiring him to begin her worship in his kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chowdhuri |first=Soumita |date=9 November 2021 |title=Jagadhatri Puja 2021: স্বপ্নাদেশে, কৃষ্ণনগরেই প্রথম জগদ্ধাত্রী পুজো শুরু করেন রাজা কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র! জানুন অজানা ইতিহাস |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/dharm-religion/story/jagadhatri-puja-2021-origin-history-significance-krishnanagar-and-chandannagar-pictures-raja-krishna-chandra-started-krishnanagar-rajbari-puja-after-seeing-dreams-soc-312304-2021-11-09 |work=[[Aaj Tak]] |location=[[Kolkata]] |access-date=20 March 2022|language=bn}}</ref> The puja was performed by Raj Rajeshwary (Raj Mata in Bengali language), and another account mentions a Jagatdhatri Puja Maharaja established by Krishna Chandra named Maa Jaleshwari at "Malopara Barowary".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goswami |first1=Biswabrata |title=How '11 contribution transformed Malopara's Puja in Krishnagar |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/how-11-contribution-transformed-maloparas-puja-in-krishnagar-1503242603.html |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=21 November 2023}}</ref> The worship of the goddess was later resumed by [[Sarada Devi]], wife of Ramakrishna.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/religion/legends-jagadhatri-puja-1502818059.html|title=The legends of Jagadhatri Puja|website=The Statesman}}</ref>

The Jagatdhatri puja of Bose family and Chatterjee family of Palpara and Bhavanipur started in 1788 and continued by Chatterjees with all grandeur and tradition dating back centuries.<ref>{{cite news |title=শুধু চন্দননগর নয়, কলকাতার বহু বনেদি বাড়িতে হয় শতাব্দীপ্রাচীন জগদ্ধাত্রী পুজো, জেনে নিন হদিস |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/ananda-utsav/puja-parikrama/a-list-of-jagadhatri-puja-of-kolkatas-bonedi-families-which-are-more-than-100-years-old-dgtl-photogallery/cid/1558405?slide=2 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |date=6 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 October 2017 |title=Overflowing with Ecstasy |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/features/overflowing-with-ecstasy-1502517398.html |access-date=23 November 2017 |work=The Statesman}}</ref> The goddess is worshipped during the [[Shukla Paksha|Shukla]] Paksha of the pious month of [[Kārtika (month)|Kartika]], especially the [[Tithi]] of [[Navami]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitra |first1=Sritama |title=জগদ্ধাত্রী পুজো ২০২৪ এবার নভেম্বরের প্রথমের দিকেই, দেখে নিন তারিখ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla/astrology/jagadhatri-puja-2024-date-according-to-panjika-astrology-know-the-significance-31726916141238.html |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=21 September 2024 |language=bn}}</ref>

The oldest temple of the goddess is [[Mahavidya]] temple at Somra (Hooghly), established in 1621 CE.<ref>{{cite news |title=মূর্তি যেন আকাঁশছোয়া! রইল চন্দননগরের সবচেয়ে উঁচু ৫ টি প্রতিমার হদিস |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/ananda-utsav/puja-parikrama/top-5-tallest-jagadhatri-idol-in-chandannagar-you-should-visit-this-jagadhatri-puja-2024-dgtl-photogallery/cid/1558504?slide=1 |access-date=13 December 2024 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |date=7 November 2024 |language=bn}}</ref>

== In literature ==

Goddess Jagatdhatri has been mentioned in many novels by Bengali authors, poets and novelists. Goddess Jagatdhatri figures in the historical fiction ''[[Anandamath]]'' written by Bengali novelist [[Bankim Chandra Chatterjee]]. It is the same literary work from which the national song of India ''[[Vande Mataram]]'' originates. In the novel, Kali, Durga, and Jagatdhatri are depicted as three aspects of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India) – Jagatdhatri as the mother used to be, Kali as the mother now is, and Durga as the mother will be in future. The trio of goddesses are shown as the object of worship of a group of ascetics who form the protagonists of the story.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/44888399|title=From Nation to Post Nation: The Making and Unmaking of National Consciousness in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Anandamath|first=Poorva|last=Gulati|journal=Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science |issn=2456-5571|date=January 2021 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* McDermott, Rachel Fell (2011). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ggBeH_lmUu8C Revelry, Rivalry, and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals]''

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jagaddhātrī}}
*

{{Culture of West Bengal}}
{{Hindu Culture and Epics}}
{{Hindu festivals}}
{{Bengali Hindu people}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]
[[Category:Durga Puja]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Festivals in Odisha]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Culture of Odisha]]

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