By : Barnali Bose, Editor-ICN Group
Kartik Puja, a festival celebrated at the same time as Jagadhatri Puja in Bengal
Kartik, son of lord Shiva and Parvati is worshipped in the Hindu month of Kartik in Bengal. He is believed to be the God of Fertility. Handsome in appearance, Kartik is worshipped by those desirous to beget a son.
On Receiving The Gift Of Kartik
A traditional custom, though bizarre is to stealthily leave an idol of Kartik at the doorstep of a childless couple as kartik is believed to symbolise an heir of the family. Friends and relatives carry out this ritual. The married couple,
has to then install the idol in their house and offer puja , which a brahmin priest conducts. Not only that,an elaborate feast is organized for all those who take part in the puja and offer gifts to Kartik. It is believed that the childless couple will very soon be blessed with a Kartik-like son .
Kartik,The Son And Kartik,The Groom
An interesting practice is that on this day, in the red-light areas of Bengal, women deprived of the joys of motherhood, adopt Kartik as their son, to experience the blissful contentment of mothering a child. Another custom is that elderly women often shower young women with the blessing to be blessed with a groom, as handsome as Kartik.
Traditions flourish galore
Although Kartik puja is celebrated with great exuberance and gaiety in Chinsurah and Bansberia in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, it can in no way, surpass the festive enthusiasm and inexplicable splendour that marks Jagadhatri Puja of Chandannagar.
Leaving comparisons aside, it can be inferred that both the festivals add grandeur to the customs, traditions and beliefs that have been religiously sustained in these district towns, for decades.
