Durga Puja 2020: What Is Nabapatrika And Why Is It Worshipped

Friday, October 16, 2020, 15:52

Durga Puja, also known as Navratri, Dussehra or Durgotsava is one of the most important festivals for belonging to Hinduism. The festival is dedicated to Durga, the Goddess of Strength and Divine Power. It is a nine-day festival during which people worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga. This year the festival will begin on 17 October 2020 and will go on till 25 October 2020.

When it comes to rituals, you will find a long list of rituals associated with Durga Puja. One such ritual is of Nabapatrika and worshipping the same. Those who don't know what Nabapatrika is and why we worship it, can scroll down to read more.

On the seventh of the Navratri in Saptami, nine plants are given a holy bath in the Ganga river or any other lake, pond or river. The nine leaflets are tied together into a bunch and are then taken for a holy bath. These nine leaflets when combined symbolise the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Though the leaflets individually represent various Gods.

These nine plants are:

Bel leaves: Lord Shiva
Rice paddy: Goddess Lakshmi
Asoka leaves: Goddess Shokarahita
Banana plant: Goddess Brahmani
Pomegranate leaves: Goddess Raktadantik
Colocasia plant: Goddess Kalika
Arum plant: Goddess Chamunda
Turmeric plant: Goddess Durga
Jayanti plant: Goddess Kartiki

Why Nabapatrika Is Worshipped

The main puja of the Durga Puja also known as the Maha Puja begins on Saptami. Therefore, in order to begin the Maha Puja of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, people worship the nine leaflets representing Goddess Durga. The leaves are, therefore, first given a holy bath, early in the morning and then the rest of the rituals of the puja are performed.

Also, the water by which the Nabapatrika is bathed in a river or any other water body is brought from eight different spiritual and religious places.

Significance Of Nabapatrika Puja

Nabapatrika puja begins in the early morning of Saptami. Once the Nabapatrika puja is performed, only then Saptami rituals are begun.
Post the holy bath, the Nabapatrika is draped in a red saree and then vermillion is smeared on the leaves of the Nabapatrika.
The Nabapatrika is then placed on a clean and well-decorated pedestal. After this people worship the Nabapatrika with sandalwood paste, flowers and incense sticks.
After this, the Nabapatrika is placed on the right side of Lord Ganesha.
Special offerings are prepared on this day for the Nabapatrika Puja. Apart from the sweet offerings, there are many other things offered to the Nabapatrika.