Bengal, the land of vibrant festivals, is often celebrated with the phrase, “Baro mashe tero parbon”—thirteen festivals in twelve months. In reality, this number barely scratches the surface. Festivals, or parvans, permeate the essence of Bengali culture, binding its people in a shared continuity that stretches across millennia. Among these, many rituals have faded under the onslaught of modernity, but Itu Puja remains a fascinating vestige of the ancient world. It reflects Bengal’s sun-centric traditions and its deep connections to agrarian and matriarchal societies.
The Sun: A Universal Deity
Across ancient civilizations, the Sun has been a constant presence as a divine entity. Cultures as diverse as those of Egypt, Sumer, Greece, and India revered the Sun, assigning it unique names: Ra in Egypt, Helios in Greece, Utu in Sumeria, and Mitra in Vedic India. These names, though different, symbolize a universal acknowledgment of the Sun’s role as the sustainer of life. This solar reverence has transcended time, finding its echoes in the Itu Puja of Bengal.
The term Itu itself is thought to originate from the Vedic deity Mitra, a solar deity symbolizing light and friendship. Over time, linguistic evolution morphed Mitra into Mitu and subsequently into Itu. The puja is a month-long celebration that embodies the worship of the Sun’s power and life-giving energy, with strong agrarian and matriarchal undertones.
Rituals of Itu Puja
Itu Puja begins on Kartik Sankranti (the last day of the month of Kartik) and continues every Sunday until Agrahayana Sankranti. The rituals, steeped in symbolism, involve women planting seeds of five crops—paddy, turmeric, kalmi (a type of spinach), colocasia, and chickpeas—in a clay malsa (pot). This pot is watered daily and placed over a tray of soil, nurturing the crops as the month progresses.
The culmination of the puja, known as Itur Sadh, takes place on Agrahayana Sankranti. On this day, the earthen pot is filled with offerings like curd, milk, and sweets. These offerings are then floated in water, symbolizing the cycle of life and renewal. The rituals are accompanied by mantras and prayers, primarily recited at dawn, highlighting the connection to the Sun.
A Celebration Rooted in Antiquity
The elements of Itu Puja vividly mirror the practices of an ancient matriarchal society. Historically, women played a dominant role in agriculture, while men focused on hunting. The nurturing of seeds, symbolizing life, was naturally associated with women. Itu Puja retains this essence, as it is predominantly performed by women, often independently or under the guidance of Brahmins.
The use of clay pots in the puja is another nod to antiquity. After the discovery of fire, creating earthenware was one of humanity’s earliest innovations. These pots, vital for carrying water and storing food, were imbued with spiritual significance. In Itu Puja, the clay pot becomes a metaphor for the womb, holding life within, much like the Sun nurtures the Earth.
Connections to Solar Worship
Itu Puja shares thematic similarities with Chhath Puja, the famous sun-worship festival of Bihar. Both rituals honor the Sun at dawn and sunset, underscoring the celestial body’s role as a life-giver. However, Itu Puja is simpler in execution, focusing solely on the Sun’s nurturing power, rather than its cyclical movements and cosmic significance.
The very day of Itu Puja, Sunday, known as Aditya Bar in Bengali, is dedicated to the Sun god. The alignment of ritual timings with sunrise further emphasizes the solar connection. This reinforces the idea that the Sun was once seen not only as a divine entity but also as an extension of the maternal principle—a concept evident in references to Usha (dawn) and Itu Lakshmi, which link the Sun’s light with prosperity and sustenance.
The Cosmic Dance of Time
The Sun’s movements through the sky symbolize the eternal wheel of time (Kalachakra), a concept deeply rooted in ancient Indian philosophy. Itu Puja reflects this cosmic rhythm, where the nurturing of seeds parallels the agricultural cycles dictated by solar patterns. In offering crops to the Sun, the devotees acknowledge the life force that sustains them.
This symbolism extends to the culmination of the festival, where the malsa and its contents are floated in water. It represents the merging of the earthly and the divine, a gesture of gratitude to the Sun for sustaining life through its energy.
Itu Puja Today
While Itu Puja still exists in Bengali households, its practice has diminished significantly over time. Modern lifestyles and urbanization have eroded many such traditional observances, leaving only remnants of their former glory. Yet, for those who continue the ritual, Itu Puja serves as a vital link to their ancestors and a celebration of life’s eternal rhythms.
Conclusion
Itu Puja stands as a testament to Bengal’s rich cultural tapestry, interwoven with the universal reverence for the Sun. It is not merely a festival but a reflection of humanity’s ancient connection to nature, agriculture, and the maternal principle. In its clay pots and seed offerings lie the echoes of an era when life was simpler, yet profoundly attuned to the cosmic forces that govern existence.
As the Agrahayana month unfolds, Bengali households will place their itu sara with care, continuing a tradition that celebrates the enduring power of the Sun and the resilience of life itself.
