The Mysterious Nabapatrika & Kola Bou At The Heart Of Durga Puja

Nabapatrika

Growing up, most Bengali kids had no idea what the Nabapatrika was. Perhaps children raised within the confines of bonedi families (aristocratic houses) with long-standing Durga Puja traditions of Durga Puja may have been aware of the significance of these plants. But ordinary children filled with festive fervor only cared about the Kola Bou. This was a Banana plant ceremoniously dipped in the sacred Ganga or a local water body, then wrapped in a laal shadha (red and white) saree and placed beside Lord Ganesha representing his wife consort – hence the name Kola (Banana) Bou (Wife).

It could not be further from the truth.

Nabapatrika which translates to “nine leaves” in Bengali, is a distinctive tradition that involves the veneration of nine different plants, collectively referred to as Nabapatrika. It’s a cherished ritual in the Bengali community, symbolizing the essence of the Durgotsav and marking the start of Durga Puja festivities, Nabapatrika embodies both the religious and cultural significance of this vibrant celebration.

A Durga Puja ritual

According to Subrata Bhattacharya, the lead priest at Central Noida Pujo Committee, Durgotsav coincides with the harvest season, representing a time of health, wealth, and prosperity.

“The Nabapatrika ritual is a unique blend of various beliefs, myths, and rituals associated with Durga Puja. It involves gathering nine different plants, bundling them together, and tying them with a sacred thread, before placing them on a pedestal for worship. The plants are bathed in holy water and offered various puja items like flowers, fruits, sweets, and incense sticks.”

“At the heart of Nabapatrika is the belief that Goddess Durga returns to her parental home on Earth from her bridal abode in Mount Kailash, accompanied by her children—Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati.”

Nine forms of Durga

On the early morning of Saptami, the seventh day of the festival, Goddess Durga is invoked in the Nabapatrika, which is tied to the twigs of the white Aparajita plant (Clitoria ternatea) with a yellow thread. Each of the nine plants represents a form of Goddess Durga:

The plants include Banana, which represents Goddess Brahmani, the Colocasia plant, representing Goddess Kalika, Turmeric for Goddess Durga, Jayanti for Goddess Kartiki, Bel leaves representing Goddess Shiva, Pomegranate leaves for Goddess Raktadantika, Asoka leaves for Goddess Shokarahita, the Arum plant for Goddess Chamunda and Rice paddy for Goddess Lakshmi.

“The Nabapatrika is given a ceremonial pre-dawn bath in river or pond water, accompanied by the chanting of mantras. Following this, it is adorned in a red-bordered white sari, with vermilion smeared on its leaves. The Nabapatrika is then placed on a decorated pedestal and worshipped with flowers, sandalwood paste, and incense sticks. She is later positioned on the right side of Lord Ganesh, earning her the affectionate title of Kolabou, or Ganesh’s wife,” explained Bhattacharya.

Dashami

On the final day of Durga Puja, Dashami, celebrants dismantle and immerse the Kola-Bou as they chant mantras. This process is carried out in seclusion. As the Immersion Ghat is typically crowded with onlookers, to maintain privacy, a large cloth is used to create a barrier around the Kola-bou, shielding it from prying eyes while the dismantling ritual takes place. This practice holds significance, as the Kola-bou represents Ma Durga herself, and her untying and unveiling must be conducted with utmost respect. The immersion of the idol only takes place after the Kola-bou has been immersed.

A Kola Bou folktale

An endearing folktale about the Kola-bou describes a wedding procession during which Ganesh returned home to find his mother, Durga, eating rice. When Ganesh asked why she was eating so much, Durga teased, “What if your wife did not give me enough food to eat?” Upset, Ganesh cut down a banana tree and offered it to her, declaring, “This is your daughter-in-law.” Thereafter, Ganesh married the banana tree – hence the origin of the name Kola-bou.

Sumit Biswas, a history scholar revealed that while there are no explicit references to Nabapatrika in the Vedas or Puranas, it has become an integral part of Durga Puja, possibly highlighting inclusiveness and the synthesis of diverse cultural practices.

“Some scholars interpret Nabapatrika as a manifestation of Durga herself, symbolizing nature in its vegetative form. This ritual is believed to represent Durga’s restoration of order and abundance to the earth,” he revealed.

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