Sayan Biswas (Concept & technical Details, Photographs)

Ajoy Mahakuru (Design)

Subhankar Banerjee ( Technical Details and photographs)

Susmita Biswas (Design ideas and management)

Special Thanks :

Shantanik Basak

Himadri Mukherjee

Vikas Jain

And all those who have inspired us.

In our life, we can see women in different forms. Sometimes she is a naughty daughter, sometime a caring mother, a inspiring lover – a few also witnesses her enormous power to save her beloveds from all the evils.
Thus, with all these dimensions, she becomes indispensable part of our life.

Most likely, the devotees considers the eternal Mother Goddess in different forms relating to the situations of life. Somewhere Mother goddess is the source of power, sometime she gives and looks after the wealth. For the knowledge, devotees think of another form. And all these sums up to Nine forms of  Mother Goddess according to the authentic documentation for worshipping – Brihonnondikeshwar Puran, Devi Puran & Kalika Puran.

The NaboPatrika symbolizes these nine forms of Devi Durga and worshipped along with, from MahaSaptami. Colloquially, the NaboPatrika is termed as KalaBou. It is composed of nine different saplings and bound with the creeper of Shet Aparajita, red string and Alta (a red colored liquid used to decorate feet). Finally, it is covered with a red bordered white saree and placed on the same platform where the idol of Devi Durga is worshipped.
Each of the nine saplings symbolizes one form of Devi Durga :

1). Ramva symbolizes Devi Bromhanee.

2). Kalo Kochu is for the form of Devi Kalika.

3). Haridra represents Devi Durga.

4). Jayanti symbolizes Devi Kartikee according to Kalika Puran and Brihonnondikeshwar Puran. As per Devi Puran, it is the form of Devi Koumaree.

5). Billo represents Devi Shiva.

6). Darrim is for the form of Devi Raktodontika.

7). Ashok represents Devi Shokrohita.

8). Maan Kochu is for Devi Chaamunda.

9). Dhanno symbolizes Devi Laxmi.

Apart from these, there are Sixty Four names of Mother Goddess. Those names are collectively termed as Choushotti Jogini..
Following are a few of  64 names according to Devi Puran. :

1. Bromhanee  2. Chandaa  3. Roudree  4. Gouree

5. Indranee  6. Koumaree  7. Bhoirobee  8. Durga

9. Shailaputree 10. Chandika  11. ChandaGhanta.  12. Kushmanda

13. SkandaMata 14. Katyaaonee 15. Kaalraatri 16. Mahagouree……. Etc.

Ref. PUROHIT DAPAN by Pandit Surendra Mohan Bhattacharya, 38 th Edition
Acknowledgement : Shree Ranjit Kr. Bose

Mahalaya is the day of inviting Devi Durga to save from all the demons of bad patches in this mortal world……as well as to get the blessing for the best in life in all aspects – “…… Rupan Dehi Jayon Dehi Jasho Dehi……”

Mahalaya flags off the biggest festival of Bengal, DurgaPuja, the festival for homecoming. It is Amabashya ( No-Moon day) of the month of Ashwin of Bengali calendar.

The fortnight prior to this day is called PitreePaksha. The word Pitree means father or ancestor and Paksha means fortnight. Religiously, This is the time period of every year when Bengalis pay homage to their passed away ancestors. And the process of paying homage is called Tarpan. Though Tarpan can be performed throughout this fortnight, most of the people choose to perform it especially on the day of Mahalaya .

Tarpan is performed by standing in the waist deep water of the holy river Ganges and offering the holy water to the passed away ancestors while chanting the Vedic Mantras.

According to Saam Veda, only Brahmins can perform Tarpan. But Yajur Veda empowers other casts also to perform Tarpan with a few difference.

Apart from the religious point of view, it is a nice ritual for recapitulating the loving memories of the passed away beloveds, at the starting of the festive fortnight. The fortnight starting from the Mahalaya is called Devi Paksha where Devi indicates to Devi Durga.

Ref : PUROHIT DARPON by Pandit Surendra Mohan Bhattacharya, 38 th Edition.

Acknowledgement : Shree Ranjit Kr. Bose.

1) Durga Shailputri: Shailputri means the daughter of the mountain, Himalaya. In this form we see the divine Mother holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus on her left. She is seen seated on an ox.

2) Brahmacharini: Brahmacharini or Tapasyacharini is Goddess’s second form. The name holds the meaning of true penance and meditation. Her form depicts her holding a rosary beads in her right hand and a Kamandalu, a pot containing holy water in her left. In her previous life, when she was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya, she performed severe penance to have Lord Shiva as her husband.

3) Chandraghanta: Goddess Durga’s third form is known as Chandraghanta or Shakti. Chandra means moon and Ghanta is the bell. This name finds its explanation in the half-circular moon on the temple of the Goddess that resembles a bell. She is three eyed with ten hands. Each hand holds ten different weapons. She is seated on lion and is worshipped on the third day of the Navratri celebration. The frightful sound of her bell terrifies all the evil and demon. Worship of this deity helps to eliminate the sorrow, hazards and dangers in ones life.

4) Kushmanda:Kush means happiness and she created the universe with a smile. She is radiant as the Sun and rides a lion. She is Ashtabhuja or eight handed. Her seven hands hold the holy pot, Kamandul, a bow, an arrow, a lotus, a pot containing wine, a disc and a club. The eighth hand holds a string of rosary beads that is believed to provide success and prudence.

5) Skanda Mata: Lord Kartik/Kartikeyan/Karthikeyan is also known as Skanda. As Goddess Durga is his mother, she is referred to as Skanda Mata. She is a deity of fire with four arms. She holds her son Skanda with the top right hand and lotus in her lower hand. The top left hand is positioned in a blessing gesture or Abhaya Mudra. She is fair complexioned, seated on a lotus and so also referred to as Padmasana.

6) Katyayani: Sage Katyaayan was the son of the great sage Kat. He observed rigorous penance and worship of Bhagavati Paramba with a desire to get Paramba as his daughter. His wish was granted. The daughter born was named Katyayani. She has four hands. The top right hand is positioned in a gesture of providing courage while the other hand is positioned in a gesture of rendering a boon. The top left hand holds a sword and the other a lotus. The goddess rides a lion and worshiped on the sixth day of the Durga puja.

7) Kalratri: Ratri means night so her complexion is as dark as the night. She has long, unmated hair with her three eyes that are shiny and bright. She has four arms and is seen mounted on a Shav/Shava or dead body. Her right hand holds a sword, while her lower hand is in a blessing stance. The left hand holds a burning torch and the lower left hand is in fearless position. She is known as Shubhamkari or the auspicious one. Her form encourages her devotees to be fearless.

8 ) Maha Gauri: It is said that when the body of Goddess Gauri got dirty due to dust and earth while she was observing penance to attain Lord Shiva. So he cleansed her with the holy waters of Ganges. Her body transformed into bright and luminous like lightening and so her eighth form is known as “Maha Gauri” .Her clothes and ornaments are also white. Her visage is calm and peaceful and she is three eyed. She rides on a bull. Her four hands denote different meanings, like the left hand is in the fearless gesture and the lower on holds a trident. The above right hand has tambourine and lower right hand is in blessing style.

9) Siddhidatri: The ninth form is Siddhidatri. There are eight Siddhis (Special powers which can only be attained from severe penance and meditation)-Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva & Vashitva. Maha Shakti gives all these Siddhies. It is mentioned in the Devi Puran” that Lord Shiva got all these Siddhis by worshipping Maha Shakti.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kshudhaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Chaayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Thrishnaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kshaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Jaati Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Lajja Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shradha Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Kaanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Vritti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Smrithi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Dayaa Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Tushti Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Matru Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Braanthi Roopena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha