As the first cool breezes of autumn ripple through Bengal, the air takes on a scent unlike any other—part incense, part shiuli blossoms, part anticipation. Durga Puja arrives like a long-awaited guest, bringing with her joy, reunion, and the tender chaos of festivity. In the midst of the elaborate pandals, thundering dhaak beats, and the joyous hum of voices, there exists a quieter, more intimate ritual—Nabapatrika—a tradition steeped in agrarian rhythms, folk imagination, and an unbroken bond with nature.

A Ritual of Nine Lives: The Sacred Plants of Nabapatrika

The word Nabapatrika translates literally to “nine leaves” in Bengali. Yet it is far more than a botanical bundle—it is the living embodiment of Goddess Durga herself, manifested in nine sacred plants. Each plant represents a distinct form of the goddess, forming a symbolic microcosm of divine feminine energy.

Before dawn on Saptami (the seventh day of Navaratri), these plants are taken to a riverbank or pond for a ceremonial bath.

Priests chant mantras as the leaves are tied together with a yellow thread, bathed in holy water, draped in a red-bordered white sari, and placed beside Lord Ganesh in the pandal. Here, she is affectionately called Kolabou—the “banana bride.”

Here are the nine plants and their divine associations:

Plant Name	Bengali Name	Goddess Represented
Banana	কদলী বা রম্ভা	Goddess Brahmani
Colocasia	কচু	Goddess Kalika
Turmeric	হরিদ্রা	Goddess Durga
Jayanti	জয়ন্তী	Goddess Kartiki
Bel leaves	বিল্ব	Goddess Shiva
Pomegranate leaves	দাড়িম্ব	Goddess Raktadantika
Asoka leaves	অশোক	Goddess Shokarahita
Arum	মানকচু	Goddess Chamunda
Rice paddy	ধান	Goddess Lakshmi

Though absent from the Vedas and Puranas, this ritual has survived centuries, rooted deeply in Bengal’s cultural soil. Its earliest known reference is found in the 15th-century Krittivasi Ramayan, a Bengali retelling of the epic by Krittibas Ojha—proof that while the ritual may not be pan-Indian, it holds an unshakable place in Bengal’s spiritual heart.

Mythology Meets Folklore: The Tale of Kolabou

Bengalis have an endearing way of humanising their deities—seeing them not as remote beings, but as family. One charming folktale captures this intimacy.

It is said that during Ganesh’s wedding procession, he returned home to find his mother, Durga, eating bowl after bowl of rice. Surprised, he asked, “Ma, why are you eating so much?” Durga replied, “Jodi tor bou aamaake khete na daye?” (“What if your wife doesn’t feed me enough?”).

Ever the resourceful son, Ganesh cut down a banana plant and presented it to her, declaring, “Eitai tomar bou” (“Here is your daughter-in-law”). Thus, the banana tree became Kolabou, a symbol of the goddess’s nurturing presence and the deep familial bonds at the heart of Durga Puja.

Fertility, Inclusiveness, & the Rhythms of Nature

Historically, Nabapatrika was celebrated with grandeur among Bengal’s zamindars and wealthy traders, often with processions, music, and elaborate offerings. Over time, idol worship took centre stage, but Nabapatrika endured—a quieter, humbler ritual that spoke of fertility, harvest, and the maternal principle that sustains the cosmos.

Its origins blend Vedic and non-Vedic elements, animistic beliefs, and agrarian customs. By worshipping plants as goddesses, it honours both divine power and the life-giving cycles of the earth—a spiritual inclusivity that reflects the broader ethos of Durga Puja itself. More than a religious observance, Nabapatrika is a celebration of fertility, harvest, and the cyclical nature of life.

Ecology in the Language of Devotion

In our era of environmental crisis, Nabapatrika offers more than cultural nostalgia—it is a gentle ecological manifesto. By venerating the goddess in the form of plants, the ritual reminds us that nature is not merely a resource, but a living embodiment of the sacred.

Some scholars even interpret the ritual as Durga returning the blood of the slain buffalo demon to the earth, symbolically restoring cosmic balance and ensuring agricultural abundance. In this light, she is both the fierce destroyer of evil and the benevolent sustainer of life.

A Thread in the Tapestry of Durga Puja

Durga Puja is not just a festival—it is a cultural phenomenon. It marks the harvest, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and reunites families. It is the sound of conch shells at dawn, the aroma of khichuri wafting from community kitchens, and the shimmering artistry of idols crafted by generations of kumors (potters).

Within this vibrant celebration, Nabapatrika is a delicate yet essential thread—binding past to present, sacred to everyday, divine to natural. It carries the stories of agrarian Bengal, the devotion of countless generations, and the gentle reminder that tradition, like the goddess herself, is alive, evolving, and endlessly nurturing.