SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 29: The traditional Durga Puja festivities began on Monday morning with the installation of Kola Bou, a banana plant symbolizing Goddess Durga, on the auspicious day of Maha Saptami.
In Bengali community puja pandals, the ritual was marked by the ceremonial bath of Kola Bou, while Bihari community pandals conducted the ‘Belnoti’ ceremony to officially commence the celebrations.
According to Pt. Hara Banerjee, the Kola Bou, dressed as a bride and adorned with nine sacred plants (Navapatrika), is bathed in rivers, ponds, or lakes before being installed in the pandal, marking the beginning of Durga Puja.
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Processions and Holy Bath Ceremonies
Today, several Bengali community puja committees, including Hirapur Durga Mandir, Nepal Kali Mandir, Devipara, Harimandir, Bengal Kalyan Samiti, Bengali Welfare Society, and JC Mallick Road committees, organized impressive processions carrying the Kola Bou in a palki (palanquin). The processions moved to local water bodies such as Khokhan Talab, Pumpu Talab, Bekarbandh Sarovar, and Rani Talab for the holy bath ceremony.
Accompanied by traditional Bengali music, devotees carried the Kola Bou to the water bodies where the sacred bathing ritual was performed. Women dressed in white saris and men in dhoti-kurta participated in large numbers. Those who could not join the early morning procession waited at the pandal to perform ‘Aarti’ upon the arrival of the Kola Bou.
Significance of Kola Bou
Pt. Hara Banerjee of Nepal Kali Mandir explained the symbolic importance of Kola Bou. It is believed that Maa Durga visits her parental home from her marital abode in the Himalayas on Saptami. Since the idol of the Goddess cannot be taken to a water body for the ritual bath, Kola Bou serves as a symbolic representation of Maa Durga for this holy ceremony.
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The Kola Bou is also known as Navapatrika, comprising nine sacred plants: turmeric, clover, pomegranate, aurm, colocasia, paddy, ashok, and sal tree. These items are draped in a white sari with a red border, representing purity and devotion.
The celebrations saw enthusiastic participation from devotees across communities. The combination of traditional rituals, processions, and music reflected the rich cultural heritage of Durga Puja in Dhanbad. With the successful start of the Kola Bou ceremonies, the city is set for several days of vibrant festivities ahead.
