Durga Puja 13
Kolabou or Nabo Patrika is an important ritual performed during the Navratri Durga puja in Bengal. It represents the nine forms of the Goddess Durga who is worshipped symbolically through nine varieties of plants.
This was actually a ritual performed by the farmers for prosperous harvest, But later on with the increasing popularity of Durga Puja, it got included in the rituals of Durga Puja.
The nine plants comprising Nabopatrika are:
- Banana plant represents Goddess Brahmani
- Colacassia plant represents Goddess kalika
- Turmeric plant represents Goddess Durga
- Jayanti tree represents Goddess Koumaree
- Billo represents Goddess Shiva
- Ashoka tree represents Devi Shokrohita
- Dariim represents Devi Raktodontika
- Maan Kochu represents Devi Chamunda
- Dhanno represents Devi Lakshmi
This ritual is performed on the day of Maha Saptami. The nine different saplings are bound with the creeper of Shet Aparajita , red string and alta ( a red coloured liquid used to decorate feet). Finally it is covered with a red bordered white saree and placed on the same platform where the idol of Devi Durga is worshipped.
This was earlier practiced by the farmer community to get good harvest. In those times, idol worship was not so popular and mother nature was worshipped as the supreme form of Goddess. But nowadays, this is also practiced in the urban regions with great enthusiasm among the devotees of Goddess Durga.
“Kola Bou” is a unique and symbolic ritual observed during the Durga Puja festival, primarily in the Indian state of West Bengal and among Bengali communities. The term “Kola Bou” translates to “banana wife” or “plantain wife” in English. In this ritual, a banana tree or plantain tree is symbolically married to Lord Ganesha, one of the divine beings associated with the Hindu pantheon.
Here are the key aspects of the Kola Bou ritual in Durga Puja:
Banana Tree Selection: Before the Kola Bou ritual, a banana tree is carefully selected and prepared for the ceremony. The tree is chosen for its health and vitality, and it is often decorated with traditional Bengali ornaments, bangles, and a red-bordered white sari to resemble a bride.
Marriage Ceremony: The Kola Bou is symbolically married to Lord Ganesha, who is considered the elder son of Goddess Durga. This marriage is conducted to seek blessings for the successful completion of Durga Puja and to ensure that there are no obstacles during the festivities.
Puja and Offerings: A priest or designated individual conducts the marriage ceremony. Prayers, mantras, and rituals are performed to invoke the divine presence and seek blessings for a successful and obstacle-free Durga Puja. Offerings, including flowers, fruits, incense, and lamps, are made to both the Kola Bou and Lord Ganesha.
Symbolic Significance: The Kola Bou is considered a symbol of fertility and abundance. By marrying the banana tree to Lord Ganesha, it is believed that the goddess’s divine energy flows through the tree, infusing it with blessings and life force. This, in turn, is believed to bring prosperity and success to the Durga Puja festivities.
Immersion: After the marriage ceremony, the banana tree, along with Lord Ganesha and other deities, is immersed in a river or body of water on the last day of Durga Puja, known as Vijaya Dashami. This symbolizes the departure of the divine energy that had been invoked during the festival.
The Kola Bou ritual is a beautiful and symbolic tradition that adds cultural richness to the Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal and among Bengali communities. It underscores the belief in the divine presence of Goddess Durga and the importance of seeking her blessings for a successful and prosperous festival.