Chandannagar is one of the historical cities of Hooghly. The main festival here is Jagaddhatri Puja. In Bengal, Jagaddhatri Puja first started in Krishnanagar. King Krishnachandra started this puja. From there, this puja later came to Chandannagar in Hooghly. Chandannagar is much ahead of Krishnanagar in terms of promotion.
While this puja lasts for two days in other parts of West Bengal, the puja here lasts for four days like Durga Puja. The immersion procession of the idol and the illumination are one of the reasons why the Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar is famous.
According to researchers, the Jagaddhatri Puja procession in Chandannagar is a miniature version of the Ganapati procession in Mumbai in terms of pomp.
This puja was introduced in Chandannagar in the middle of the 18th century. Professor Vishwanath Bandyopadhyay has mentioned in his article 'Description of Chandannagar Jagaddhatri Puja and some incorrect information' that it was not Dewan Indranarayan, but Dataram Sur, a trusted aide of Maharaja Krishnachandra, who first performed Jagaddhatri Puja in 1762 at the house of his widowed daughter in the village of Gourhati with the donation of Raja.
Initially, this puja was for the kings. Later, it spread among the feudal lords, businessmen and common people. It is known that the period of Barwari Puja in Chandannagar is 1790. The universal Jagaddhatri Puja began here only after the arrival of the French in Chandannagar for the purpose of establishing a colony.
In modern West Bengal, the first public Jagaddhatri Puja was introduced in Chandannagar. At that time, mainly woven cloth was exported through the Chandannagar river port. The first public Jagaddhatri Puja was started in Chaul Patti on the banks of the Ganges on the initiative of traders.
That is why Chaulpatti is called Adi Puja. From the beginning, the Puja here is four days long. Then the traders started Puja in their own area west of GT Road. Later, the traders started Puja separately some distance away. It was called Kapalepatti Puja.
Later, the traders of Maidapatti started Puja separately some distance away from Chaulpatti. It was called Maidapatti Puja. Another name is Marwaripatti Puja. Its original and current name is Laxmiganj Chowmatha. Vegetable vendors also started Puja separately from Chowpatti.
Laxmiganj Bazar used to sell radishes here, the Puja of that place started. It is known as Mulopatti Puja. Whose formal name is Laxmiganj Bazar. These are the four main pujas of Laxmiganj traders. The traders bear the expenses of the puja.
After that, the first public Jagaddhatri Puja spread to the city in Bagbazar. Odia traders settled in this area. They started their own puja. It is now called Bagbazar Puja. Later, it spread to Lichutala, Gondalpara, Barasat Tematha, Kundughat, Goswamighat and all parts of the city.
Now, more than one puja is held in a village. With the evolution of time, this puja has become popular beyond the limits of Chandannagar and has also become popular in Telinipara and Bhadreshwar regions. Initially, there were a total of 26 pujas including Chandannagar and the surrounding areas.
Now the number of pujas is 142. Out of these, one is a public puja conducted by a woman. Apart from this, 20-25 house pujas are held. Every year, 400 or more goats are sacrificed in the puja in Tetultala and Gourhati.
The lighting of Chandannagar during Jagaddhatri puja is its own pride. This lighting has gained fame abroad as well. Competitions for decorating the pandals and lights are held among the puja committees. The use of homeopathy bottles, lozenges, tea jars, etc. are a thing of the past today.
More new themes are coming in the present. In many cases, the theme of the Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is imitated. For several years, LED lights have taken the place of the toni. On the day of Dashami, the procession of Chandannagar Jagaddhatri is the main attraction.
Earlier, the procession was famous for its music and puppet dance. Now, various events of mythological stories and modern society are reflected in the tableau. With the help of small toni, the events are depicted with electric light. Lakhs of people gather in the procession. Foreign tourists, governors and ministers and other officials come here for the puja.
When is Jagaddhatri Puja 2025?
There is a difference in the timing of the puja according to different calendars. There is a difference of opinion mainly on the dates of Navami and Dashami. According to the new Purna Chandra calendar, Navami Puja will be celebrated on October 30 and Dashami Puja will be celebrated on October 31.
Again, according to the Rashtriya Panchangam calendar, Navami Puja will be celebrated on October 31 and Dashami Puja will be celebrated on November 1. The procession will be held on Dashami i.e. November 1, Saturday.
It is to be noted that this year, under the supervision of the Chandannagar Central Jagaddhatri Puja Committee, the puja will be held according to the dates of two calendars. As a result, the puja will continue for 5 days.
According to the Chandannagar Central Jagaddhatri Puja Committee, the puja will officially begin on October 27. That day falls on the sixth day of Jagaddhatri Puja. And this will ultimately benefit the visitors. They will get an extra day to see the goddess.
