Nabapatrika: the Saptami morning bath of the Kola Bou
The bundle of plants you see on Saptami, dressed in a saree beside Ganesha, is the Nabapatrika. Here is what it holds.
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What is Nabapatrika
Nabapatrika is a bundle of nine plants. Each plant is consecrated as an embodiment of one of the nine forms of the goddess, such as Brahmani, Kalika, Durga and Chamunda. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
The nine plants
- Banana
- Turmeric
- Wood apple
- Pomegranate
- Ashoka
- Arum
- Colacassia
- Barley or rice
- Manaka
The name Kola Bou
Many people call the Nabapatrika Kola Bou, the banana bride, by mistake. Wikipedia says it is not a folk harvest deity. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
The Saptami bath
The bathing of the Nabapatrika, Nabapatrika snan, takes place on the seventh day, Saptami. (Source: Wikipedia, Durga Puja)
In Drik Panchang's Kolkata list for 2027, Saptami is Wednesday, 6 October, with Kolabou (Navapatrika) Puja that day. (Source: Drik Panchang, Durga Puja 2027 calendar (Kolkata))
💡 If you plan to watch the bath at a big pandal, ask the committee for the time beforehand, as it differs from place to place.
Questions
- What is Kola Bou?
- Kola Bou is the common name for the Nabapatrika, a bundle of nine plants, each a form of the goddess. Wikipedia says the name is a mistaken one.
- Which are the nine plants of Nabapatrika?
- Banana, turmeric, wood apple, pomegranate, Ashoka, arum, colacassia, barley or rice, and manaka.
- On which day is the Nabapatrika bath?
- On Saptami. In 2027 Saptami is 6 October (Drik Panchang, Kolkata).
See also
Durga Puja 2027Durga Puja 2026The Akal Bodhon storySandhi PujaMahalaya 2027