Who is Maa Jagaddhatri? Know why they are worshiped and what is the auspicious time in 2025

News India Live, Digital Desk: As grand as the festival of Durga Puja is celebrated in India, the worship of another form of the goddess, known as ‘Jagaddhatri’, has equal importance. The literal meaning of ‘Jagaddhatri’ is ‘the one who holds the world’ or ‘the one who protects the entire world’. This puja is celebrated mainly in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, exactly one month after Durga Puja.

In the year 2025, this holy festival of Jagaddhatri Puja will be celebrated on 31st October, Friday, which is falling on Akshaya Navami.

What is the form of Goddess Jagaddhatri?

Maa Jagaddhatri is a calm and gentle form of Maa Durga. While Mother Durga is seen in a fierce form killing Mahishasura, the form of Mother Jagaddhatri is a symbol of Satvagun i.e. peace, patience and divinity. She sits on a lion, and has four hands in which she holds a conch, chakra, bow and arrow. An elephant lies beneath his lion, which is considered to be the dead body of the demon ‘Karindrasura’, a symbol of ego. This scene shows the victory of knowledge and divinity over ego.

Why is Jagaddhatri worshipped? read the mythological story

There are two main stories related to the beginning of this puja:

1. Destroying the ego of the gods: According to the story described in Kena Upanishad and Tantras, the gods became proud of their power after conquering Mahishasura. They forgot that the source of their power was Adishakti itself. To break his ego, the Goddess appeared in the form of a Yaksha and placed a blade of grass in front of him and challenged him to move it with all his might. No god could even move that straw. Then he realized his mistake and the goddess appeared before him in the form of Jagaddhatri.
2. Beginning by Raja Krishnachandra: The credit for establishing this puja as a big festival in Bengal is given to Maharaja Krishnachandra of Nadia. It is said that in the 18th century, due to some reason, he was not able to perform Durga Puja, due to which he was very sad. Then the Goddess appeared in his dream and ordered him to worship her ‘Jagaddhatri’ form on Shukla Navami of Kartik month. The king did the same, and since then this puja started being celebrated with great pomp in Bengal.

Date and auspicious time of Jagaddhatri Puja 2025 (Jagaddhatri Puja 2025 Date and Timings)

• Main date of puja: 31 October 2025, Friday
• Beginning of Navami Tithi: From 10:06 am on October 30, 2025.
• End of Navami Tithi: On October 31, 2025, at 10:03 am.

Simple method of worship (Simple Puja Vidhi)

Many rituals of Jagaddhatri Puja are similar to Durga Puja. At home you can do it with this simple method:

• Take bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
• Install the idol or picture of Maa Jagaddhatri on a post at the place of worship.
• Offer red clothes, red flowers and makeup items to the Goddess.
• Offer sandalwood, fruits, sweets and Durva.
• Light a ghee lamp and incense and perform the Aarti of Mother Goddess and chant her mantras.
• After the puja, distribute the prasad among everyone.

This puja is not just a religious ritual, but it gives the message that true power in life is achieved only by renouncing ego and following the path of humility and religion.