Mahasaptami, the seventh day from the new moon. Saptami is the day when life is believed to be infused into the idol of Goddess Durga. The rituals for Saptami begin early in the morning, when the “pran” or life of the Goddess is brought from a pond or a river and infused into the idol. The main Durga Puja begins on Saptami with “Kola Bou Snan” (bathing of the Kola Bou), followed by “Pran Pratishtha” (infusion of life into the Goddess). All the rituals of Mahasaptami take place with a lot of fanfare, with the beats of Dhaak, sound of conch shells, and divine fragrance of incense sticks and “Dhuna” wafting through the air.

Kola Bou Snan

Kola Bou or Nabapatrika Snan

In the pre-dawn hours of Saptami, a tender banana plant, fondly referred by Bengalis as “Kola Bou” (Banana Bride) is bathed in a pond or river. Kola Bou is also known as “Nabapatrika” or nine different types of plants, which are worshipped together as a symbol of the Goddess. Then, the Kola Bou is draped in a bright new saree and made to resemble a newly-wed bride.

Pran Pratishtha

Pran Pratishtha

This bathed and decked up Kola Bou is used as a medium to carry the life of Maa Durga, which is later infused in the image. Kola Bou is then carried to the Pandal and placed beside the idol of Ganesha, Maa Durga’s son. This is the reason why Kola Bou in West Bengal is also fondly referred to as the wife of Ganesha. This age-old ritual of placing Kola Bou in the Pandal is believed to infuse life in the idol of Maa Durga. Hence this ritual is also known as Pran Pratishtha.

Other Rituals

Mahasaptami is also the auspicious day when a “Ghat” (pitcher) is filled with water and placed near the feet of Maa Durga. This pitcher is considered to be a symbol of Maa Durga’s feet, and is worshipped with flowers and incense. Priest Ajit Kumar Chakraborty explains “The idols of Maa Durga are made in such away that her feel are not visible. So, we place a Ghat near Maa Durga’s feet and worship it as a symbol of Maa’s feet”.

A mirror is also placed in such a manner that the face of the Goddess is reflected in it. Since the clay idol cannot be bathed, the reflected face of Maa Durga in the mirror is bathed with Ganga Jal before the customary rituals of Mahasaptami begin.

Saptami Puja

Mahasaptami Puja

Mahasaptami Puja begins in the morning with the worship of Nabapatrika as a “swarup” of Goddess Durga. The worship involves the chanting of Mahamaya Mantra followed by a recitation of Chandi Path. After the Chandi Path, flowers are offered to Maa Durga in “Pushpanjali” and then “Aarati” is performed. Evening rituals on Mahasaptami involve “Dhunuchi Naach” and “Aarati” performed by the priest. A “bhog” of Khichuri is also offered to the Goddess.

Celebrations Galore

Mahasaptami is a day when celebrations reach a high in Kolkata. Starting this day, all offices declare a four-day holiday for employees. The festive fever takes Kolkata completely in its grip, and the citizens begin enjoying their favourite festival. The streets are inundated with people, especially towards the afternoon and the evening. Beats of Dhaak reverberating through the atmosphere and the sight of people visiting pandals and gorging on street food together complete the festive look the city bears during Durga Puja.

Here’s wishing a “Subho Saptami” to all from Headlines India!