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Jagaddhatri meaning the saviour of the universe is the Goddess who comes to save the people from the demonic reign of the asuras. According to Vedic scriptures, Goddess Jagaddhatri is another form of Devi Durga.In the Shukla Navami of the Bengali Month of Ashwin, the Devi appears as the ten-handed Goddess Durga, on the same day, on the month of Karthik, she presents herself in the form of the four-handed Devi Jagaddhatri, the caring mother of the world.

The idol represents a beautiful and dynamic woman with large eyes spread and four hands displaying conch, discus, shaft and a bow respectively. Sometimes around her neck a garland of snakes, Jagaddhatri Idol depicts the Devi as the slayer of the demon Mahishasura,who had taken the disguise of an elephant.

The actual battle went on for a longer period. Mahishasura changed his guise as he lost each of his many lives before being slain by the Goddess in the form of Devi Durga. According to some Pundits, the Devi is not just worshipped as a slayer of demons but her importance lies in evading darkness and welcoming light. The Devi is said to represent the supreme Truth of life. It is believed that Maharaja Krishna Chandra was responsible for spreading Jagaddhatri Puja in Bengal in around 1757.

From the district of Nadia, the ritual spread all over and took the form of a festival. Chandannagore in Hoogli is the place where the celebrations have reached a new dimension.

When India, was under the British rule, Chandannagar re-defined its socio-religious identity in the form of popularising Jagaddhatri Puja. It is a major socio-cultural occurrence in this province. It is heard that Indranarayan Chowdhury introduced the Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar in the manner of King Krishnachandra introduced it in Krishnanagore. Jagaddhatri Puja in Krishnanagore started from the year 1762 while Jagaddhatri puja in Chandannagar dates back around 1750. Indranarayan Choudhury performed the Jagaddhatri puja at his own residence in Chandannagar. It was at this time Krishna Chandra used to loan money from Indranarayan Choudhury. Perhaps Krishnachandra was fascinated by the grandeur of the festivity and the magnitude of the Goddess.

The formal difference between Goddess Durga and Jagaddhatri occur in 'Mayatantra' and Jagaddhatri is mentioned with reference to Durga in Krishnanda's 'Tantasaar'. The verdict to perform the special puja of the goddess on the ninth lunar day in the month of Kartik has been referred in 'Krityatattarnab' by Srinath Acharyachuramoni of the 15th-16th century.

The festivities in Chandannagar is well known during Jadaddhatri Puja. One of the main attractions of Jagaddhatri idol of Chandannagar is the ornamentation of the goddess with sola, gold works and other exclusively carved and intricately designed material. The idols are colossal and the sky-touching pandals are also worth catching a glimpse. Known for their exquisite works with lights it is a pleasure to see the town revel in the various artistically done light works. The immersion parade is truly unforgettable and millions throng the immersion ghats of Chandannagar.

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