গাঁদাGenda
Golden marigolds are strung into garlands and heaped in offerings, filling Maa's pandal and her feet with festival colour.
Puja offerings
What we offer to Maa
The flowers, leaves and sacred things gathered for Maa's Puja — each with its own story.
Flowers for Maa
গাঁদা
শিউলিShiuli
The night-flowering jasmine blooms in the dark and falls at dawn. Its white petals and orange stems are gathered fresh for Maa's feet.
জবাJaba
The deep red hibiscus is dear to Maa, and is offered to her in the Puja.
অপরাজিতাAparajita
The blue butterfly-pea flower. ‘Aparajita’ — the unconquered — is also a name of Maa, and this flower is offered to her.
নীলপদ্মNil Padma
Before the great battle, Ram is said to have offered 108 blue lotuses to awaken the Goddess. The blue lotus remains a flower of her Puja.
পদ্মPadma
The lotus is Maa's seat and the flower of purity — it rises from the mud and stays untouched.
Sacred leaves & grass
বেলপাতাBel Patra
Three leaflets on one stalk. The Puja begins with Belboron, when Maa is welcomed at the bel tree.
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দূর্বাDurba
Fresh, tender blades of durba, offered in small tufts, stand for long life and renewal.
কলা পাতাKola Pata
The banana plant is one of the nine plants of Nabapatrika, bathed at dawn and dressed in a red-bordered sari as Maa herself.
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কুল পাতাKul Pata
Small glossy kul (jujube) leaves from village trees, among the humble leaves that find a place in the offering.
Nabapatrika & the harvest
কচুKachu (Colocasia)
A humble plant of wet ground — proof that the sacred does not have to be grand.
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হলুদHaldi
Turmeric — Haridra — is one of the nine plants of Nabapatrika. Its golden colour is auspicious and purifying.
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জয়ন্তীJayanti (Sesbania)
A slender, less familiar plant that generations have kept in the ritual — a symbol of victory.
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ডালিম
অশোক
মানকচুManaka (Mankochu)
A humble green leaf beside a fierce goddess — strength that does not need to be loud.
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ধান
আখAkh
Sweet sugar cane, a harvest offering that stands for sweetness and abundance.
The nine plants of Nabapatrika — read the story of each.
Banana
Kachu (Colocasia)
Turmeric
Jayanti (Sesbania)
Bilva (Bael)
Pomegranate
Ashoka
Manaka (Mankochu)
Rice PaddySymbols & rites
কাশফুলKash Phool
White plumes of kash sway along the village paths as autumn arrives — the first sign that Maa is coming.
চক্ষুদানChokkhu Daan
On Mahalaya the artisan paints Maa's eyes, and the idol is said to come alive.
আলতাAlta
Red alta painted on Maa's feet, with her anklets and flowers — a sign of auspiciousness and blessing.
পালকিPalki
Maa is said to come to her father's home and return on Dashami. The palanquin recalls that journey.