Navapatrika: Ecological Symbolism in Durga Puja

Durga Puja, one of the most celebrated festivals in Bengal and across India, is rich with myth, ritual, and symbolism. While much attention is given to the idol of Goddess Durga and the grand artistic displays of the pandals, one of the lesser-known yet deeply significant rituals is the worship of the Navapatrika. Literally meaning “nine plants,” the Navapatrika is an ancient ritual that embeds ecological consciousness within religious tradition. At a time when the world is grappling with environmental crises, this ritual opens up profound questions: does it represent merely a religious formality, or does it point to a deeper ecological ethic, one that sees nature as divine and inseparable from human life?

One of the lesser-known yet deeply significant rituals in Durga Puja is the worship of the Navapatrika.

Origins of the Navapatrika

The Navapatrika ritual dates back to agrarian traditions, long before Durga Puja became the grand spectacle it is today. In ancient Bengal, the festival coincided with the harvest season, a time when nature’s bounty was both celebrated and venerated.

Farmers depended on the cycles of rain, soil, and vegetation, and worshiping the Navapatrika symbolized gratitude for the forces of fertility and sustenance. Over time, this ritual was integrated into Durga Puja, with the nine plants representing nine manifestations of the goddess herself.

Over time, the Navapatrika ritual was integrated into Durga Puja, with the nine plants representing nine manifestations of the goddess herself.

The Navapatrika is ritually bathed in the river, adorned with a white sari with a red border, and placed beside Ganesha, symbolically treated as his wife. This merging of plant life with divine mythology shows how deeply intertwined nature and spirituality are in Hindu thought.

The Nine Plants and Their Symbolism

The nine plants that form the Navapatrika are not chosen randomly; each carries ecological, medicinal, and symbolic significance. They include:

1. Banana plant – representing fertility and prosperity.

2. Colocasia (Kochu) – symbolizing protection against disease and scarcity.

3. Turmeric plant – a purifier and symbol of health.

4. Jayanti plant – sacred and connected to longevity.

5. Wood apple (Bel) – associated with Lord Shiva, symbolizing balance.

6. Pomegranate plant – linked to fertility and abundance.

7. Ashoka tree – representing freedom from sorrow.

8. Arum plant (Dhundhul) – connected with healing and protection.

9. Paddy (rice plant) – symbolizing nourishment, life, and continuity.

Together, these plants embody the interconnectedness of health, fertility, sustenance, and spiritual well-being. By worshiping them, devotees symbolically acknowledge that the goddess Durga is not only the destroyer of evil but also the life force embedded in every aspect of nature.

Ecological Worldview in the Ritual

At its heart, the Navapatrika ritual reveals a worldview where nature is not separate from divinity but is its manifestation. Unlike modern mechanistic views that often reduce plants to mere resources, the ritual sees them as embodiments of Shakti, the feminine energy that sustains creation.

Unlike modern mechanistic views that often reduce plants to mere resources, the ritual sees them as embodiments of Shakti, the feminine energy that sustains creation.

This worldview is inherently ecological. It emphasizes that human survival is intimately connected to the natural world. The rice plant, for example, is not just food but life itself. The turmeric plant is not just a spice but a healer. The banana plant is not only a source of nourishment but a symbol of fertility and continuity. Through this ritual, the ordinary becomes sacred, reminding us that ecological awareness is not a modern invention but has deep cultural roots.

Relevance in the Modern Context

In today’s context of climate change, deforestation, and ecological destruction, the Navapatrika ritual acquires new urgency. The worship of plants as divine contrasts sharply with our current exploitation of nature. Where once the act symbolized reverence, today it stands as a reminder of what has been forgotten: that the destruction of the environment is not only a material loss but also a spiritual one.

The ritual urges us to reimagine our relationship with the earth. Instead of treating it as an object to be dominated, it encourages us to see it as sacred kin. This resonates with global ecological philosophies like deep ecology and indigenous traditions that honor the earth as a living entity.

Psychological and Cultural Symbolism

The Navapatrika is also psychologically significant. By ritualizing the worship of plants, communities collectively acknowledge dependence on natural cycles. It cultivates humility in the face of forces beyond human control and nurtures gratitude for life’s sustenance.

Culturally, it serves as a bridge between ancient agrarian societies and contemporary urban celebrations. Even in modern cities, where people may be far removed from farming, the ritual carries echoes of agricultural consciousness, reminding devotees of their roots in the soil.

The Feminine Principle in Nature

Another layer of symbolism lies in the association of Navapatrika with the goddess. By feminizing the plants as embodiments of Durga, the ritual reflects a deep recognition of the feminine principle in nature. Fertility, nourishment, healing, and protection—qualities embodied in the plants—are seen as expressions of Shakti.

Fertility, nourishment, healing, and protection—qualities embodied in the plants—are seen as expressions of Shakti.

This challenges patriarchal notions of dominance over nature and instead proposes a relational, nurturing model. However, one could also question whether symbolic reverence translates into actual respect for women and for the environment. The paradox remains: societies that worship goddesses often marginalize real women, just as cultures that venerate nature in ritual frequently exploit it in practice.

Ritual and Ecology

While the ecological symbolism of Navapatrika is powerful, it also raises critical questions. In modern celebrations, the immersion of idols and plants in rivers often contributes to pollution. The very ritual meant to honor nature can end up harming it. This contradiction forces us to rethink how rituals are practiced today. Can they be adapted to preserve their symbolism while minimizing ecological harm? For instance, some communities now use eco-friendly idols and sustainable alternatives for immersion, embodying the very ecological consciousness the rituals seek to promote.

Thus, the Navapatrika is not just a relic of the past but a living practice that challenges us to align spirituality with ecological responsibility.

Global Parallels

Interestingly, the symbolism of Navapatrika finds parallels in other cultures. Indigenous traditions across the world—from Native American to African—often involve rituals that honor plants, animals, and natural elements as sacred. The Celtic reverence for trees or the Shinto veneration of natural spirits in Japan echoes the same ecological consciousness. This universality suggests that seeing divinity in nature is a human impulse across cultures, one that modern industrial society has gradually suppressed.

Indigenous traditions across the world—from Native American to African—often involve rituals that honor plants, animals, and natural elements as sacred.

Final Thought

The Navapatrika ritual in Durga Puja is more than a set of symbolic gestures. It is a profound ecological statement embedded in tradition. By worshiping nine plants as embodiments of the goddess, it affirms that divinity resides in the natural world, and that human survival depends on recognizing this truth.

In a time of ecological crisis, this ancient ritual speaks with renewed relevance. It reminds us that every grain of rice, every medicinal plant, every fruit-bearing tree is not just a resource but a manifestation of sacred energy. The challenge today is not only to preserve these rituals but to embody their wisdom in our lives—to honor nature not only in worship but in action, policy, and daily practice.

The Navapatrika thus bridges myth and ecology, spirituality and sustainability. It invites us to see that the battle against modern Mahishasuras—climate change, pollution, deforestation—can only be fought when we recognize that protecting nature is itself an act of devotion. By rediscovering the ecological wisdom within our traditions, we may find both spiritual fulfillment and a path toward survival.

About the Author

I am Sanchari Mukherjee, a student doing Masters in English from the reputed Presidency University, Calcutta. I love writing and appreciate art in all forms. Being a literature major, I have learnt to critically comment on things of various kinds. I take a deep interest in deconstructing the various essential structures and revealing the mechanisms of their working. Really glad that you came across my blog, hope you found it covering some critical insights essential for progress!