Bipodtarini Devi

Bipodtarini Maa

Bipattarini (Bipottarini), also termed as Bipodtarini or Bipadtarini is a Hindu goddess (Devi), worshipped in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam and surrounding areas. ^[1] Closely associated with goddess Sankattarani and considered as one of the 108 Avatars of the goddess Durga, Bipadtarini is prayed to for help in overcoming troubles. ^[2] Her legends are recounted during the annual festival associated with her, the Bipadtarini Vrata , observed by women, on the Between Dwitiya (Ratha Yatra) to Dashami (Ulta Ratha Yatra or Bahuda Jatra) or Between 2nd day to 10th Day of the Shukla paksha (waxing moon) Tuesday or Saturday in month of Ashada according to the Hindu Calendar. Her legends established her name, Bipada – Tarini, which literally means deliverer from troubles. ^{[3] [4]}

Legend

The hibiscus flower, holds a key place in the legend of Bipadtarini

The puja (ritual worship) of Bipodtarini - a vrata (vow) performed by women - is followed or preceded by the telling of the legend of the goddess. The legend is set in Vishnupur or Bishnupur (in the present West Bengal), the seat of the Mallabhum kingdom from 7th century AD to 19th century during the period of Malla kings who belonged to Bagdi caste (Barga Kshatriya). The queen had a friend belonging to Mochi caste who ate beef. The queen was horrified to learn this, out of curiosity the queen wanted to see the meat. One day, the queen asked her friend to show it to her. The girl initially refused, fearing the wrath of the pious Hindu king, however later she complied with the queen's request. However, the queen got betrayed and the furious king rushed to kill her. The queen hid the meat in her clothes and prayed to goddess Durga for help. Subsequently when the king tore her clothes to find what was hidden beneath them, all he could find there was a red jaba flower (hibiscus). Even today the goddess's puja remains part of women’s rites and is performed for the goddess' intervention during a family crisis. ^[4]

Like some other manifestations of Durga, who are invoked during time of specific crisis, or to help an ailing family member, Bipadtarini is also prayed as "cure deity". ^[5] The annual Bipadtarini-Puja is an important event in the religious calendar of most temples in the region. ^{[6] [7]}

Worship

Act of performing Dandi considered a significant ritual during the Bipadtarini puja at Asansol

Bipodtarini is worshiped annually at Mahishilla Colony, Asansol, West Bengal. The ceremony or puja for Bipodtarini was first performed 20 years ago by Phani Bhusan Goswami and his wife Sabitri Goswami. The ceremony is attended by people from the Durgapur, Asansol, Burdwan and Birbhum areas. Maa Bipattarini is indeed revered in both Assam and West Bengal. Devotees seek her blessings during challenging times, believing that she provides protection and guidance. In Assam, Maa Bipattarini is primarily worshipped by the Bengali community. ^[8]

The celebration goes on for four days. The first day is the aradhana ("worship") of the goddess, followed by two nights of celebrations which include performances of traditional Bengali folk songs, bhajans and kirtans by artists from Bolpur (Shantiniketan) and the Birbhum district. On the fourth day the traditional bisorjon or immersion of the goddess in water is performed.

Bipodtarini puja includes many rituals like the fasting observed by majority of women on the day of the puja. The tying of the red colored "taga" on the wrist is also one of the significant customs. The taga is a kind of thread considered to be made sacred through the various rituals on the event of the puja. ^{[9] [10]}

The puja at Asansol also constitutes the performance of Dandi. While performing this act first the devotees have to take a holy bath, to cleanse of sin and purify themselves. Then from the place of holy bath to the place of worship, the devotees repeatedly prostrate before the goddess by lying down their full body on the ground with their arms on top and cover the full distance without walking. ^{[11] [12]}

Important shrines

People offering pooja to Bipadtarini Devi in Pramod Villa, Mahisilla Colony, Asansol

• Maa Bipadtarini Mandir, Garia, Kolkata
• Bipadtarini Chandibari, Rajpur, South 24 Parganas

References

1. "দেবী দুর্গার ১০৮ রূপের মধ্যে দেবী বিপত্তারিণীর রূপের মাহাত্ম্য রয়েছে।". ABP Ananda (in Bengali). 14 June 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
2. "See Durga's 51 avatars under a single roof". Indian Express. 4 October 2008.
3. Chakrabarti, S. B. (2002). A Town in the Rural Milieu Baruipur, West Bengal. Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Dept. of Culture. p. 16. ISBN   978-81-85579-73-3.
4. Östör, Ákos (2004). The Play of the Gods: Locality, Ideology, Structure, and Time in the Festivals of a Bengali Town. Orient Blackswan. p. 43. ISBN   81-8028-013-6.
5. Roy, Sarat Chandra (1993). Man in India, Volume 73. A.K. Bose. p. 334.
6. Chaudhuri, Buddhadeb (1981). The Bakreshwar Temple: a study on continuity and change. Inter-India Publications. p. 42.
7. "Sarbamangala Mandir". Bardhaman district website.
8. অপালা, শ্রীমতী (26 June 2020). "বিপত্তারিণী পুজোয় এই মন্ত্র জপ করলে বিপদ থেকে মুক্তি মেলে ও মনস্কামনা পূরণ হয়". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Retrieved 15 January 2025.
9. "Bipodtarini Pujo: বিপদ থেকে রক্ষা করেন দেবী বিপত্তারিণী! জানুন এই পুজোর দিনক্ষণ, ব্রতর নিয়ম". Aaj Tak (in Bengali). 2 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
10. গোস্বামী, শ্রমণা (27 June 2023). "সব বিপদ থেকে রক্ষা পেতে আজ বিপত্তারিণী পুজোয় কী করবেন অবশ্যই জেনে নিন". Ei Samay (in Bengali). Retrieved 15 January 2025.
11. Talukdar, Jaita (2008). A Sociological Study of the Culture of Fasting and Dieting of Women in Urban India. A project submitted in University of Cincinnati - Division of Research and advanced studies by Jayeeta Talukdar. p. 90.
12. Mitra, Anamika (8 July 2024). "এবছরের প্রথম বিপত্তারিণী পুজো, জেনে নিন মায়ের পুজোয় মানতে হবে কোন নিয়ম". Hindustan Times (in Bengali). Retrieved 11 January 2025.