Clay Images of West Bengal

Sasthi-the sixth day

The main Durga puja celebrations last five days: sasthi the sixth day; saptami, the seventh day; astami the eighth day; navami the ninth day; and dasami the tenth day. The programme follows that outlined in the Ramayana of Krittivasa. Durga is woken (bodhana) on the sasthi, in remembrance of Brahma's 'untimely awakening' (okal bodhana) of Durga on behalf of Rama. She is roused in the bel tree on the evening of the sasthi. Also in the evening the combination of nine plants known as navapatrika (nava meaning nine, patrika meaning leaves) is assembled around the stem of a small banana plant and tied together with an aparajita creeper (proper name clitoria). Each of the nine plants are said to correspond to one of the nine Durgas (Navadurga): rambha the banana stem to Brahmani; kacci to Kali; tumeric to Durga; jayanti to Karttiki; vilva or wood apple fruits tied to resemble breasts with some connection to Siva; dadima or pomegranate to Raktadantika; asoka to Sokarahita; manaka or arum to Chamunda; and dhanya or rice paddy to Lakshmi. The navapatrika as a whole is considered to be Durga but is usually referred to as kalabau (plantain wife) and is dressed in white sari to represent a newly married bride and is placed next to the image of Ganesh throughout the ceremonies. As a result some may claim that this is in fact the bride of Ganesh, although strictly speaking it represents Durga and in at least one case in Bankura there is a record of the navapatrika having a clay head tied upon it and worshipped as a form of Durga. It may be that the navapatrika acts as a substitute for the image of Durga at the time of bathing since the clay image used during Durga puja would be damaged by contact with water. However, it may also be that the kalabau has origins in tribal customs with links to fertility and harvest and that it became incorporated into Durga puja ceremonies at some stage.

The beginning of ceremonies on sasthi is called kalparambha. A vow (samkalpa) is made by the head of the family to perform Durga puja in Asvina and to read the Devi Mahatmya. The priests are appointed and received with honour to perform the promised Durga puja. By the sasthi the image has been installed and the place of worship is decorated. The outside and the entrance of the place of worship is decorated with buntings and banana stems. Inside the image is placed on a raised dias (the bedi). In traditional families the bedi is made about two feet high and is sown with five grains: rice; wheat; barley; mas and sesamum. In three to four days these seeds sprout into seedlings. On top of the bedi is placed a wooden platform. All around the bedi and at the entrance to the place of worship alipanas (also known as alpanas) or sacred designs are drawn by women using liquid rice paste or white paint. These alipanas are floral designs and are considered auspicious.

Durga puja-saptami, the seventh day

Durga puja-mahastami, the eighth day

Durga puja-mahanavami, the ninth day

Durga puja-vijaya dasami, the tenth and final day

Durga puja-immersion of the image