Jagadadri Puja is ascribed to the worship of Sri Durga Devi in the manifestation of Sri Jagadadri. It is a five day festival commencing from the Shukla Paksha Sashti and ending on Shukla Paksha Dashami of Karthika month. It is predominantly celebrated at Chandan Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Rishra, Shantipur and Hoogly regions of West Bengal. It is also celebrated in Orissa.
It is believed that Sri Durga Devi is considered as the Universal Mother protecting Her children. The festival is believed to have commenced in 1700s.
For the Year 2023, Jagadadri Puja is observed and celebrated from Tuesday, 31st October 2023 to Wednesday, 8th November 2023. The exact duration of Tithis from Sashti to Dashami has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
The festival is observed with the formalities like Sri Durga Puja. Pandals are set in streets with the Vigraha of Sri Durga Devi as Jagadadri Mata. Sri Durga Devi is depicted with four hands holding conch, discus, bow and shaft sitting on a lion keeping her foot on an elephant. She sports a snake garland.
As per the legend, the depiction of Sri Jagadadri Devi is said to be mentioned in Kena Upanishad and Katyayani Tantra. After the diminution of Mahisha Asur by Sri Durga Devi, the Devas had gone into complacency. They presumed that the powers of Sri Durga Devi were extinct and they themselves are quite powerful.
Sri Durga Devi had decided to teach them a lesson. She had picked up Agni, Vayu, Varuna and Chandra to destroy a grass. Despite using their mite, they could not even harm the grass. The other Devas also had tried and failed. Then they all realized that they have ego to the size of elephant and surrendered before Sri Durga Devi. They had accepted that unless there is will and blessing of Sri Durga Devi, nothing is possible. They had realized the true power of Sri Durga Devi and hailed Her as Sri Jagadadri Devi, the protector and the propeller of the universe.
The Pandal is decked up with flowers and holy leaves. Sri Durga Devi is adorned with garments, ornaments and other embellishments. Special Pujas are done to Sri Jagadadri Devi as per Tantric rituals.
Devotees throng to Pandals to pray to and worship Sri Jagadadri Devi. They sing hymns / prayer slokams praising Sri Durga Devi. Many dishes are offered as Neivedyam and distributed to the Pandal visitors as Prasadam.
