Bengal's worship of Jagaddhatri, the Mother who sustains the world, on Kartika Shukla Navami

Jagaddhatri Puja is the worship of Goddess Jagaddhatri, 'the holder of the world', a form of Durga, on Kartika Shukla Navami, a month after Durga Puja. It is celebrated with great splendour in Chandannagar, Krishnanagar and Rishra in West Bengal, and in parts of Odisha. The legend, based on the Kena Upanishad, tells that after Durga's victory over Mahishasura the devas grew proud, believing the power was theirs. The Supreme appeared as a mysterious Yaksha and placed a blade of grass before them: Agni could not burn it, Vayu could not move it, and Indra could not approach. Then the Goddess appeared as Uma Haimavati — Jagaddhatri — and revealed that all their strength was hers. She is depicted as serene and golden-red, with four arms holding a conch, discus, bow and arrow, wearing a sacred thread of serpents, and riding a lion that stands on an elephant, representing the ego (Karindrasura) subdued. The puja was popularised in the 18th century by Raja Krishnachandra of Nadia and by Indranarayan Chowdhury of Chandannagar, whose grand illuminated processions are now famous. Some celebrate over Saptami to Navami like Durga Puja; others complete all three pujas on Navami.

Devotees fast until the Pushpanjali.