Kalparambha (Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas)

Kalparambha marks the beginning of Durga Puja rituals in West Bengal. Kalparambha is done one day before of Kolabou Puja which is also known as Navpatrika Puja. In most of the years the day of Kalparambha falls on the Shashthi Tithi of the lunar month.

The rituals of Kalparambha are equivalent to Bilva Nimantran in other states. On the very same day, Goddess Durga is invited to dwell in Bilva tree or in a Kalash. The act of inviting Goddess Durga is known as Amantran and dwelling Her spirit into Bilva tree is known as Adhivas. The best time to perform invocation of Goddess Durga is Sanyakal which is the time window of approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes before sunset.

The day of Kalparambha is also known as the day of Akal Bodhon which means untimely invocation of Goddess Durga. Traditionally Goddess Durga was worshipped during Chaitra month of Hindu calendar. Even now Goddess Durga is also worshipped for nine days during Chaitra month and this period is known as Chaitra Navratri. However with time Chaitra Navratri has become less significant compare to Sharad Navratri.

According to Hindu beliefs it was Lord Rama who performed Akal Bhodon of Goddess Durga before waging war against demon Ravana. Lord Rama sought blessing of Goddess Durga before starting the battle to rescue His wife Sita. It is believed that this untimely invocation of Goddess Durga started the tradition of Sharad Navratri and Durga Puja.

Kalparambha during Durga Puja is symbolically same as Ghatasthapana or Kalashsthapana which is done on the Pratipada Tithi of Navratri. Three days Durga Puja in West Bengal is smaller version of 9 days Navratri which is mostly followed in other states. The religious books suggest 7 days Navratri, 5 days Navratri, 3 days Navratri, 2 days Navratri or even 1 day Navratri as an alternative to 9 days Navratri.