Jagadhatri puja & Chandernagore

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`When the entire Bengal, nay India, was under the British rule, inspite of being under the French administration at that time Chandernagore created a distinct tradition. Jagadhatri Puja is a major
socio-cultural event in this region. The ancient history of Jagadhatri Puja in Chandernagore is unknown
even today. It is heard that Indranarayan Chowdhury introducedthe Jagadhatri Puja in Chandernagore
in the manner of King Krishnachandra of Krishnanagore. The time of beginning of Jagadhatri Puja in
Krishnanagore was 1762. Indranarayan Choudhury died in 1756. So Indranarayan Choudhury by no
means introduce the Jagadhatri puja in Chandernagore. The beginning of Jagadhatri puja in Chandernagore
probably dates back earlier than 1750. Indranarayan Choudhury performed the Jagadhatri puja at his
own house in Chandernagore, at the time Krishna Chandra used to come to borrow money from
Indranarayan Choudhury. Perhaps Krishnachandra was attracted to greatness ofJagadhatri at this time.
The formal difference between Durga and Jagadhatri occurs in 'Mayatantra' and Jagadhatri is mentioned
with reference to Durga in Krishnanda's 'Tantasaar'. The ruling to perform the special puja of the goddess
on the ninth lunar day of the light fortnight in the month of Kartick has ben referred in 'Krityatattarnab' by
Srinath Acharyachuramoni of the 15th-16th century.

The fourhanded goddess is carried by the lion everywhere, an elephant
lies of the feet of the lion. The idolhas an old fashioned shaping, i.e. the
face cutting is of a longish pattern; it has large eyes spread upto the
years and the four hands display conch, discus, shaft, and bow
respectively. The snake is her sacred thread.
One of the main attraction of Jagadhatri idol of Chandernagoreis the
ornamental decoration of the goddess with sola and beautiful canvas
of mats with painting at the back of the image.
The number of community pujas in Chandernagore, Bhadreswar and Champdany Municipal areas crosses
190 mark. Of these, 132 Puja committees in different localities in Chandernagore and Bhadreswar are
affiliated to the Chandernagore Central Jagadhatri Puja Committee. The Central committee renders all
possible assistance to its constituents in getting permissions and clearances for holding Puja. The immersion
procession is really memorable and enjoyable sight to witness which lakh of people throng in Chandernagore
from far and near. The beautiful decorated tall images loaded on trucks are taken around the cityin a
procession. This year 51 puja committees will take part in the procession.

By Courtsey : Sri Kalyan Chakravarty; Secretary, Chandernagore Heritage